Coming to terms with the shift in one's capabilities: a study of the adaptive process in persons with poliomyelitis sequelae

Abstract

Flexibility in choosing strategies facilitated participation in daily occupations. Requirements for this adaptive pattern were time, energy and ability to solve problems, accessible environments, access to information and support, and readiness to compensate with assistive devices.

Strategies of Adapting and Replacing Artistic Leisure Occupations to Maintain Participation and Identity: A Qualitative Study of Women With Arthritis

“…The role of positive attitudes toward disability and optimism in adapting and replacing occupations resonates with the findings of Thorén-Jönsson (2001) and Duke, Leventhal, Brownlee, and Leventhal (2002).…”

“…Longitudinal studies have shown that people with rheumatoid arthritis who lose more social and leisure occupations report subsequent increases in depressive symptoms. This relationship is not entirely explained by decreased physical functioning (Katz & Yelin, 1995, 2001. Conversely, people who continue participating in valued leisure occupations despite their arthritis seem to enjoy better subjective well-being through gaining various benefits such as self-esteem, distraction from pain and other illness-related concerns, connection to the outside world, companionship, and social affirmation (Klinger, Spaulding, Polatajko, MacKinnon, & Miller, 1999;Parmelee, Harralson, Smith, & Schumacher, 2007;Zimmer, Hickey, & Searle, 1995).…”

“…Thorén-Jönsson (2001) explored ways in which people living with post-polio syndrome adapted their occupations, and she noted that attitudinal change underpinned this process. Participants needed awareness of their changing capabilities and a preparedness to integrate disability into their sense of self without it challenging their sense of competence.…”

The role of the spiritual dimension of the self as the prime determinant of health

“…Specifically, the inattentive phase [30], the stable phase of polio when there is no major physical loss, is similar to the pre-trauma state in the Health Change Process Theory. The next two phases, the phase of overloading and emotional crisis are represented in the Health Change Process Theory by trauma, which is experienced both prior to entering and during the Action Coping cycle.…”

“…For example, Thoren-Jonsson [30] investigated how people with post-polio syndrome achieved health when faced with significant, permanent and ongoing change and loss of physical and social function. Exploration of the coping strategies used resulted in the development of the 'conception of occupational self' construct that identified 'body image, sense of competence and values and goals' (p. 342) as the key components of healthy coping.…”