The Therapeutic Use of Videogames within Secure Forensic Settings: A Review of the Literature and Application to Practice

Abstract

Citation: Gooch, P. & Living, R. (2004). The therapeutic use of videogames within secure forensic settings: a review of the literature and application to practice. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67(8), This is the draft version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link: Introduction Occupational therapy and leisureIn a newly revised definition of occupational therapy, the College of Occupational Therapists has noted:The main aim of occupational therapy is to maintain, restore or create a match, beneficial to the individual, between the abilities of the person, the demands of her/his occupations in the areas of self care, productivity and leisure, and the demands of the environment (COT 2003, p8).Within the occupational therapy literature, leisure has been regarded as a core human occupation, essential to physical and psychological wellbeing, since the beginning of occupational therapy practice (Meyer 1922, cited in Suto 1998, Farnworth 2000. One aspect of leisure -play -has for a long time been recognised as developmentally important in children: being bounded by rules and conditions, play allows the child to adapt to the external environment, to discover how to use tools to operate on the environment and to practise taking on social roles without exposure to the consequences that might threaten survival (Kielhofner and Miyake 1981). Playing games equips children with the social skills needed to adapt to the requirements of a society (Greenfield 1993).The profession has only recently, however, considered adult leisure and play seriously (Suto 1998, Lobo 1999, Farnworth 2000, Hodgson et al 2001. For older adults, playing games is accompanied by a sense of belonging, continuity and mental and physical health (Hoppes et al 2001). For younger adults, leisure promotes personal development and positive mental health outcomes and prepares the young person for the worker role (Passmore 1998). Videogames as a leisure activityIt has been suggested that, as a result of man' s increasing reliance on technology in the workplace, the focus for personal development and maintenance of self-identity and self-worth has shifted from work to leisure (Suto 1998, Iso-Ahola 1980 cited in Bryce 2001. At the same time, technology has influenced the choice of leisure occupations: the invention of photography and motion pictures, the development of private and public transport from the automobile to the aeroplane, and the advent of the television, the video, the computer, the games console and the Internet (Bryce 2001).The occupational therapy literature considers leisure along the three axes of occupation/activity, time and subjective experience (Suto 1998, Lobo 1999. However, in the emerging leisure studies literature, a fourth axis is considered: leisure spaces (Bryce 2001). Changing technologies have brought about changes not only in the types of leisure activity in which one engages but also in the Engagement in leisure pursuits that involves th...

StreetWise: developing a serious game to support forensic mental health service users' preparation for discharge: a feasibility study

“…All participants were able to explore the gaming environment, regardless of previous gaming or computer experience. The observation that all participants engaged actively in the game play and stated that they enjoyed doing so is an important finding as the FMH client group is often characterized as low in volition and engagement (Gooch & Living ). The collaboration between mental health professionals, game designers and service users in creating the gaming environment appeared to allow for a realistic and enjoyable gaming experience.…”

“…Research indicates that serious games are also applicable in FMH services. Gooch & Living () used video games in forensic settings and concluded that exploration in manipulated environments helps FMH service users develop coping skills. According to Stone (), simulations/virtual worlds enable challenging or hazardous tasks to be practiced in safe, cost‐effective environments, although transferable skill development is dependent on the level of real‐world fidelity.…”

Language for Specific Purposes and Graphic-Adventure Videogames:

“…Physical skills may refer to ability or fast reactions, whereas mental ones concern logic thinking and strategy as well as trivia knowledge (Gooch & Living, 2004). Graphic-adventures can also include tasks that are more typically used in other genres of videogames.…”

A Community Based Experience to Enhance Occupational Therapy Student Clinical Skills with Clients with Mental Illness

“…The literature provides evidence to support the efficacy of occupational therapy interventions focused on life skills training, social participation, education, work, and health and wellness (Bond, Drake, & Becker, 2008;Dilk & Bond, 1996;Dunn, Trivedi, Kampert, Clark, & Chambliss, 2005;Granholm et al, 2005;Gutman et al, 2007). Several studies have demonstrated that participation in meaningful occupations promotes health and wellness among individuals experiencing severe mental illness (Gooch & Living, 2004;Haertl & Minato, 2006;Mee, Sumsion, & Craik, 2004). Further, intensive interventions addressing clientcentered, occupation based skills training can foster individuals living with mental illness to fully engage in the world around them (Champagne & Gray, 2011).…”