Some factors influencing occupational engagement for people with schizophrenia living in the community

Abstract

With the emergence of occupational science, there has been renewed interest in the health benefits of occupational engagement and a call for more research into the occupational nature of humans. Engaging in occupations is known to have a positive effect on an individual’s health and sense of wellbeing. A common feature of people with schizophrenia, however, is a decrease in volition and a reduction in the occupations performed. This study explored some of the influences on occupational engagement for people with schizophrenia living in the community. A qualitative approach was chosen, using semi-structured interviews. Four male and four female participants, aged 23 to 49 years, described the influences on their occupational engagement. Content analysis, primarily using coding and memoing, was employed to categorise the data. Four main themes emerged: health, routine, external factors and internal factors. Some specific factors identified within these themes were medication, daily schedules, staff, family, work, self-concept and challenges. The implications of the results are discussed, with particular reference to assisting occupational therapists to enable clients with schizophrenia to engage more successfully in occupations.