A variety of reflective purposes was found in this literature review. Evidence indicates that, if students are unclear as to the purpose of reflection and do not see educators modelling reflective behaviours, they are likely to undervalue this important skill regardless of the associated learning and development opportunities embedded in the curriculum.

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Objectives: This study aimed to explore occupational therapists' understanding and use of intuition in mental health practice. Method: Using a grounded theory approach, a theoretical sample of nine occupational therapists practising in mental health settings participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method. Findings: Intuition was found to be embedded within clinical reasoning. From the data, intuition was defined as knowledge without conscious awareness of reasoning. The participants viewed intuition as elusive and underground, and suggested that professional experience led to a more comfortable use of intuition. Using intuition relied on therapists' understanding of their own and others' emotions, and intuition partnered analysis within their clinical reasoning. A grounded theory of the use of intuition in mental health settings is proposed. Conclusion: Occupational therapists practising in mental health settings understand intuition to be an instinctive understanding of situations, resulting from their professional experience and the understanding of emotions.

This study represents the first attempt to explore occupational therapists' preferred cognitive style and self-reported emotional intelligence. Findings suggest that exploring emotions through reflective practice could enhance intuitive aspects of clinical reasoning.

Occupational therapists need to appreciate carers' lived experiences to build and maintain effective partnerships with them in mental health practice. This study explored the caring experiences of six women living with sons diagnosed with schizophrenia from an occupational perspective, using the Occupational Performance History Interview-II. Thematic analysis identified five themes: 'It's a whole new thing' described carers' initial confusion and learning; 'the need to provide support' concerned the tasks involved in caring; and 'this situation just evolved' was about their adaptation to caring. 'Much of our life is focused on him' was about these women's home lives, while 'don't get too optimistic' concerned emotional aspects of their experiences. These themes illustrate how the women's life trajectories and occupations were altered to incorporate caring. The pursuit of their interests, in addition to care-related occupations, appears important for carers to sustain satisfying lives. Occupational history interviewing provided a useful method for learning about the life transitions and occupational issues faced by people in caring roles. Its use by occupational therapists in building partnerships with immediate family and friends of persons experiencing mental illness is recommended.