The contribution of a balance of work and leisure to health and a sense of well-being is a common sense assumption in everyday knowledge as well as in occupational therapy. The impact of the organization and balance of occupations in daily life on health, adaptation, life satisfaction, and a sense of well-being are central issues in occupational science. One of occupational science's potential contributions to society is the ability to provide understanding and insights that transcend common sense assumptions and everyday knowledge about occupations. This article will address, through a review of the literature, some of the limitations inherent in beliefs about a healthy balance of work and leisure. It will demonstrate how distinctions between work and leisure are culturally bound and perpetuate the assumption that they are dichotomous experiences. This dichotomy is shown to be a false one and must be transcended in order to explore the question of what is a healthy balance within daily life. This article concludes with considerations for occupational therapy research and practice that may arise from transcendence of the dichotomy of work and leisure.

This cross-sectional study compared the distribution of anxiety symptoms among pregnant, non-pregnant, and postpartum women of lower socioeconomic status. Participants were 807 women who were pregnant (24-36 weeks), postpartum (2-8 weeks), or not pregnant. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed by the state-trait anxiety index and the Beck depression inventory, respectively. English and Spanish versions of the instrument were available. Group differences in anxiety were evaluated using analysis of variance. Multivariate regression was performed to evaluate differences in anxiety while controlling for marital status, education, race/ethnicity, employment, cohabitation, income, parity, history of depression/anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Anxiety scores were lower among postpartum women relative to pregnant and non-pregnant women (both P < 0.001), who did not differ (P = 0.99). After controlling for depressive symptoms and patient characteristics, anxiety remained lowest among postpartum women. Additionally, history of depression/anxiety and depressive symptoms were significant predictors of anxiety in the multivariate analysis. Comparatively low anxiety and depressive symptoms were observed among women who were 2-8 weeks postpartum. Anxiety symptoms that occur postpartum may not appear until later in the postpartum period.

Reflexivity is a qualitative research strategy that addresses our subjectivity as researchers related to people and events that we encounter in the field. Reflexivity also addresses the subjective nature of the research account as a narrative constructed by us as researchers. Reflexivity enhances the quality of research through its ability to extend our understanding of how our positions and interests as researchers affect all stages of the research process. The reflexive account presented here frames the analysis and interpretation of previously published findings on work and play in families by highlighting aspects of the researcher's reflexivity across the entire research process, including situating the study, gaining access, managing self, living in the field, and telling the story. Its purpose is to demonstrate use of reflexivity in qualitative research as a strategy to consider our subjectivity as researchers and serve as signposts for readers about what is happening throughout the research process.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the collaboration that occurs in interdisciplinary team meetings (ITMs) at a post-acute brain injury rehabilitation centre. A qualitative descriptive case study was chosen for its interpretative and naturalistic approach. The study included participant observation of 51 meetings, five interviews, document review of charts and memos, and inductive analyses. Four themes emerged: (1) the ITM transformation ritual (the meetings themselves); (2) the ITM shapers (the case managers); (3) the ITM collaborators (the professional interdisciplinary team members); and (4) the ritual ghosts (surprisingly, the clients). Several patterns of interactions were documented, including subservient clients, lengthy meetings, and client transformation. These findings are discussed within the context of client-centred practice. The results indicate that inclusion of the client in interdisciplinary meetings does not necessarily lead to collaboration. Clinical implications and future research are discussed.

This study identified the process of occupational scaffolding through which parents foster their children's competence as adults; the need for deconstruction of the notion of work and play as separate experiences; and new ideas to guide occupational therapy practice with parents who are juggling paid work, household work, and time with their children.