Guidelines for Occupational Therapy Interventions Based on Meaningful and Psychologically Rewarding Occupations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe a newly developed set of guidelines for use of meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations as therapeutic media in occupational therapy interventions for better therapy outcomes among occupational therapy service users. We begin with a report of the results from meta-analyses indicating that participation in and/or interventions based on meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations have a positive effect on perceived health and well-being. Using these findings from meta-analysis as a foundation, we present step-by-step guidelines regarding how to evaluate a service user in order to identify personally meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations; assess the occupational performance issues that are a priority for the service user; plan and implement evidence-based and theory-based interventions that are centered on personally meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations; and evaluate therapeutic outcomes. Finally, we provide a case example to illustrate application of the intervention guidelines. We recommend that the guidelines be tested through clinical trials in order to determine their clinical effectiveness in typical occupational therapy practice settings.

Impacts of therapeutic horticulture on happiness and loneliness in institutionalized clients with mental health conditions

“…The social value of horticulture in mental health projects may outweigh the perceived value of the physical environment or the demands of the occupation itself (Harris, 2017; Parkinson et al, 2011). The experience of fun when combined with other characteristics of occupations such as connecting one with other people or being physically engaging can specifically cause positive mood (Ikiugu et al, 2019).…”

“…It is clear that participation in and/or interventions based on meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations have a positive effect on perceived well-being (Hewitt et al, 2013; Ikiugu et al, 2019). While occupations that are meaningful primarily foster a sense of connectedness and mental stimulation, fun occupations are the ones that are likely to activate the dopaminergic reward pathways of the brain, further enhancing a sense of personal well-being (Ikiugu et al, 2019). However, there is a need to clarify how clients’ meaningful occupations could be reliably identified in therapeutic decision-making.…”

Characteristics of Occupational Therapy Interventions to Promote Healthy Aging: Protocol for a Scoping Review

“…Occupation-focused interventions encapsulate the rapid improvement of an individual’s performance through compensatory methods by implementing adaptive measures to be tailored to their current performance level [ 37 ]. Interventions are implemented to increase the performance of the individual in the desired or necessary tasks [ 38 ].…”

Reflecting on conceptualisations of ‘meaning’ in occupational therapy

“…As seen in Table 2, occupational therapy literature has taken up the notions of meaning, meaningful, and meaningfulness of occupation in multiple ways, framed predominantly, though implicitly, in relation to 'positive' experiences and outcomes. Among those who acknowledge meanings of occupation are not inherently positive are de Mello et al (2020), Hammell (2004), Hocking (2009), Ikiugu et al (2019), Keponen & Kielhofner (2006), Roberts & Bannigan (2018), Rowles (2008), andWada (2011); though this is generally mentioned in a single clause with no elaboration. Nelson et al (1982) similarly noted that affective meaning of occupations may not be positive.…”