Experience of meaning in everyday occupations among unemployed people with severe mental illness

Argentzell, Elisabeth; Håkansson, Carita; Eklund, Mona

doi:10.3109/11038128.2010.540038

Cited by 76 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…Both groups perceived meaning when engaged in their everyday activities, which is in line with recent qualitative research, which included both types of participants (Argentzell, Håkansson, & Eklund, 2010;Leufstadius, Erlandsson, Björkman, & Eklund, 2008). Not surprisingly, the DC group was in need of more support with respect to regular daily activities.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

The Life Situation of People with Persistent Mental Illness Visiting Day Centers: a Comparative Study

Eklund

Sandlund

2011

Community Ment Health J

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This study compared the life situation of visitors of day centers (DC) for people with mental illness (N=93) with a comparison group (N=82) in respect of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, care consumption, well-being and everyday activities. The response rate was 49%, and those who declined are believed to be those with the most severe psychiatric disabilities. Most individuals were single (81%/78%) and few had children (12%/18%). The DC group had less education than the comparison group but had a friend more often. Although having their need for daily activities met, the DC group had greater unmet needs in respect of daily living in general. They less frequently reported having a psychosis and had fewer negative and more depressive symptoms. They got more housing support and general outpatient care, while the comparison group used specialized psychiatric care more frequently. The samples were equally satisfied with their care, health and well-being and found their everyday activities equally meaningful. The DC visitors formed a vulnerable group, by living single, having a low level of education and having unmet needs, and were at risk of not getting specialized psychiatric care.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

The Life Situation of People with Persistent Mental Illness Visiting Day Centers: a Comparative Study

Eklund

Sandlund

2011

Community Ment Health J

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“…Employment was a particularly important 'meaningful activity' 131 because it facilitates access to social interaction, a sense of identity, self-esteem and improved finances. 132 At a population level, unemployment was linked to poor mental health, while gaining employment can improve mental well-being and social inclusion.…”

Section: Meaningful Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…127 Types of activities which were meaningful might vary from person to person 216 but feeling productive, having routine and being socially engaged were key aspects of the beneficial impact of meaningful activities. 131 Our three network types might provide a useful lens through which to distil myriad network variables into types that mental health practitioners can work with more easily. It provides detail on the extent and type of connectedness that a client has, which provides a context for thinking about interventions, as well as defining some of the resources available.…”

Section: Data Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving community health networks for people with severe mental illness: a case study investigation

Pinfold

Sweet

Porter³

et al. 2015

Health Services and Delivery Research

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IntroductionPolicy drivers in mental health to address personal recovery, stigma and poor physical health indicate that new service solutions are required. This study aimed to understand how connections to people, places and activities were utilised by individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) to benefit health and wellbeing.MethodsA five-module mixed-methods design was undertaken in two study sites. Data were collected from 150 network-mapping interviews and 41 in-depth follow-up interviews with people with SMI; in-depth interviews with 30 organisation stakeholders and 12 organisation leaders; and 44 telephone interviews with practitioners. We undertook a three-stage synthesis process including independent lived experience feedback, and a patient and public involvement team participated in tool design, data collection, analysis and write-up.ResultsThree personal network types were found in our study using the community health network approach: diverse and active; family and stable; formal and sparse. Controlled for other factors we found only four variables significantly associated with which network type a participant had: living alone or not; housing status; formal education; long-term sickness or disability. Diagnosis was not a factor. These variables are challenging to address but they do point to potential for network change. The qualitative interviews with people with SMI provided further understanding of connection-building and resource utilisation. We explored individual agency across each network type, and identified recognition of the importance and value of social support and active connection management alongside the risks of isolation, even for those most affected by mental illness. We identified tensions in personal networks, be that relationships with practitioners or families, dealing with the impact of stigma, or frustrations of not being in employment, which all impact on network resources and well-being. The value of connectedness within personal networks of people, place and activity for supporting recovery was evident in shaping identity, providing meaning to life and sense of belonging, gaining access to new resources, structuring routines and helping individuals ‘move on’ in their recovery journey.Health-care practitioners recognised that social factors were important in recovery but reported system-level barriers (workload, administrative bureaucracy, limited contact time with clients) in addressing these issues fully. Even practitioners working in third-sector services whose remit involved increasing clients’ social connection faced restrictions due to being evaluated by outcome criteria that limited holistic recovery-focused practices. Service providers were keen to promote recovery-focused approaches. We found contrasts between recovery ideology within mental health policy and recovery practice on the ground. In particular, the social aspects of supporting people with SMI are often underprioritised in the health-care system. In a demanding and changing context, strategic multiagency working was seen as crucial but we found few examples of embedded multisector organisation partnerships.ConclusionWhile our exploratory study has limitations, findings suggest potential for people with SMI to be supported to become more active managers of their personal networks to support well-being regardless of current network type. The health and social care system does not currently deliver multiagency integrated solutions to support SMI and social recovery.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

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“…A recent study by Argentzell, Håkansson and Eklund (11), examining the specific criteria that bring meaning in everyday occupations among people with PD, showed that having a sense of control and daily occupational structure and maintaining mental health were crucial in order to derive meaning. Those findings imply that subjective perceptions of occupation are influenced by factors such as level of structure in everyday occupation, a sense of mastery of one's life situation and the severity of illness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing subjective perceptions of everyday occupations: Comparing day centre attendees with non-attendees

Argentzell

Leufstadius

Eklund

2011

Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy

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Experience of meaning in everyday occupations among unemployed people with severe mental illness

Cited by 76 publications

References 34 publications

The Life Situation of People with Persistent Mental Illness Visiting Day Centers: a Comparative Study

The Life Situation of People with Persistent Mental Illness Visiting Day Centers: a Comparative Study

Improving community health networks for people with severe mental illness: a case study investigation

Factors influencing subjective perceptions of everyday occupations: Comparing day centre attendees with non-attendees

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