Personalized Occupational Transformations: Narratives from Two Occupational Therapists’ Experiences with Complex Therapeutic Processes

Recovery and occupation-centered practices with persons with severe psychiatric disabilities involve many dynamic issues and processes. This study aimed to develop an understanding of how the therapeutic process unfolds in occupational therapy among persons with severe psychiatric disabilities living in sheltered or supported housing. Repeated interviews were conducted with two occupational therapists working in sheltered and supported housing facilities. Narrative analysis was used to analyze their stories. The findings reveal “personalized occupational transformations” describing significant events of interaction establishing therapeutic processes to promote personal agency and social recovery while targeting meaningful activities based on each resident’s wishes.     

Older adults’ experiences of internet-based vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness: A longitudinal study

Objective: Factors influencing engagement with self-managed rehabilitation are not well understood, but evidence suggests they may change over time. Despite increasing digitalisation of self-managed interventions, little is known about the role of internet-based interventions in patients’ experiences of self-directed rehabilitation. This longitudinal qualitative study investigated individuals’ ongoing experiences of internet-guided, self-managed rehabilitation within the context of rehabilitation for dizziness.

Methods: Eighteen adults aged fifty and over who experienced dizziness used the ‘Balance Retraining’ internet intervention for six weeks. Participants took part in semi-structured telephone interviews at two-week intervals to explore their experiences. Data were inductively thematically analysed.

Results: The internet intervention was reported to facilitate engagement with rehabilitation exercises, providing motivation to continue through symptom reduction and simple but helpful strategies. It was perceived as informative, reassuring, visually pleasing and easy to use. Barriers to engagement included practicalities, symptoms and doubts about exercise efficacy. Participants’ perceptions did not always remain consistent over time.

Conclusion: The internet intervention may be a feasible method of supporting self-managed vestibular rehabilitation. More generally, longitudinal findings suggest that appearance-related perceptions of online interventions may be especially important for initial engagement. Furthermore, intervention features targeting self-efficacy seem important in overcoming barriers to engagement.     

Relations between plasma oxytocin,depressive symptoms and coping strategies in response to a stressor: the impact of social support

Background: Social support can serve as a protective factor against the negative impacts of stressors and may thereby promote well-being. As well, exogenous administration of oxytocin has been tied to diminished stress responses and might also enhance the effects of social support.

Methods/Results: In the current study, conducted among female undergraduate students (N?=?67), higher depressive symptoms were related to lower endorsements of problem-focused coping in response to a psychosocial stressor comprising the Trier Social Stress test (TSST). However, the relation between depressive symptoms and problem-focused coping was absent among participants who had a close female friend present serving as social support prior to the stressor experience. Additionally, endogenous plasma oxytocin levels were related to certain coping strategies being favored (e.g., problem-solving, humor, cognitive distraction, self-blame and support seeking) in response to the psychosocial stressor. However, the strength of these relations varied as a function of whether individuals had social support present or not.

Conclusion: These findings confirm the positive impact of social support in attenuating the relation between depressive symptoms and specific coping methods. The results of this study are consistent with view that oxytocin levels are accompanied by particular stress responses, possibly through the promotion of coping methods endorsed.     

A randomized-control trial for the teachers’ diploma programme on psychosocial care,support and protection in Zambian government primary schools

Orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) experience poverty, stigma, and abuse resulting in poor physical, emotional, and psychological outcomes. The Teachers’ Diploma Programme on Psychosocial Care, Support, and Protection is a child-centered 15-month long-distance learning program focused on providing teachers with the knowledge and skills to enhance their school environments, foster psychosocial support, and facilitate school-community relationships. A randomized controlled trial was implemented in 2013–2014. Both teachers (n=325) and students (n=1378) were assessed at baseline and 15-months post-intervention from randomly assigned primary schools in Lusaka and Eastern Provinces, Zambia. Multilevel linear mixed models (MLM) indicate positive significant changes for intervention teachers on outcomes related to self-care, teaching resources, safety, social support, and gender equity. Positive outcomes for intervention students related to future orientation, respect, support, safety, sexual abuse, and bullying. Outcomes support the hypothesis that teachers and students benefit from a program designed to enhance teachers’ psychosocial skills and knowledge.     

The Public Vocation of Lutheran Churches and the Rehabilitation of Zimbabwean Female Ex‐Prisoners

Abstract : This paper investigates the public role of the Lutheran churches in general. It also explores the role played by the Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe in its quest to rehabilitate female ex‐prisoners. The outcome of the study reveals that the Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe has been conspicuous in its absence regarding the rehabilitation of female ex‐prisoners. This negates the legacy of Martin Luther on the Church's public role; hence I recommend that the Zimbabwean Lutheran Church must take its rightful place in public discourse.     

儿童和少年情绪障碍相关社会心理因素探讨

儿童和少年情绪障碍是一组由家庭环境因素、认知倾向和个性心理等多种社会心理因素共同作用、相互影响的疾病。家庭是一个系统,对儿童和少年的心理和行为的塑造存在影响。家庭环境和个性因素是以认知倾向为中介产生对情绪的影响,家庭环境因素又影响了认知倾向的形成和个性的发展。从以上三个方面进行探讨,旨在为儿童和少年情绪障碍者的心理干预提供科学的理论依据。     

Social cure and social curse: Social identity resources and adjustment to acquired brain injury

There is increasing evidence that identification with social groups can protect and enhance health, establishing a kind of ‘social cure’. However, for those affected by chronic or disabling conditions such as acquired brain injury (ABI), their identity may also represent a burden, a form of ‘social curse’. The present study explored the identity benefits and burdens available to 15 participants living with ABI using semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data was then analysed systematically using thematic analysis. The findings highlight social identity changes as central to the experience of brain injury. Participants reported changes in their social networks and social group memberships after injury. Identity loss and reduced social support were described as disabling. Engagement in meaningful group activity with others affected by ABI and access to affected peers enabled new group-based resources such as social support. In this way, group activity can be seen as a form of identity enactment that can drive social cure effects. Similarly, adaptation to life after injury was demonstrably linked to social identity processes pointing to the importance of a social cure approach to rehabilitation.     

Evaluating the Benefits and Challenges of Owning a Pet Dog at a Residential Psychiatric Rehabilitation Facility From the Perspective of Staff and Clients

This qualitative study evaluated benefits and challenges of the occupation of owning a communal pet dog living permanently at an adult psychiatric rehabilitation facility. Twenty-three participants (12 staff, 11 clients) completed surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Data were analyzed through multiple coding, member checking, and triangulation. Three major themes emerged: (a) positive emotional experiences, (b) challenges of dog ownership, and (c) supporting engagement in meaningful occupation. While experiences of participant’s were broadly positive, challenges with adopting a dog in its puppy stage of development were acknowledged. A novel finding recognizing positive impacts on the well-being of staff was found.     

戒毒人员戒毒动机对复吸倾向的影响:有调节的中介作用

目的:考察强制戒毒人员的戒毒动机对于复吸倾向的影响机制。方法:使用强制戒毒者复吸倾向性心理调查表、戒毒动机量表、心理韧性量表和情绪调节自我效能感量表对710名强制戒毒人员进行调查。结果:(1)强制戒毒人员戒毒动机负向预测复吸倾向;(2)情绪调节自我效能感中介了戒毒动机和复吸倾向的关系;(3)心理韧性调节了情绪调节自我效能感的中介效应。结论:戒毒动机不仅直接影响强制隔离戒毒人员的复吸倾向,也通过情绪调节自我效能感间接影响强制隔离戒毒人员复吸倾向,心理韧性增强了情绪调节自我效能感对复吸倾向的影响。