Occupation

Abstracts Thursday 30th June 2016
Keywords
Occupational therapists, Practice development, Practice – present
and future, NHS
Contact E-mail Addresses
ayana.ifekoya@brunel.ac.uk
Author Biographies
Ayana Horton Ifekoya is an occupational therapy lecturer at
Brunel University and is currently working on a PhD at the
University of Manchester. Her PhD research is focused on
how therapist and patients use emotion regulation during the
therapeutic relationship and how the use of these strategies
develop during the course of the relationship. Ifekoya earned a
BSc from Western Michigan University in occupational therapy
and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State
University.
Session 52.1
Occupational engagement in a woodland: belonging
and wellbeing for mental health
Cole F, Christie M, University of Cumbria
Introduction: Extensive evidence supports the value of
horticulture, green exercise and the influence of nature on
wellbeing (Fieldhouse & Sempik 2014) but some people in
mental health recovery may not regard formal and structured
services as accessible. In contrast, this study was set in an
informal rural centre offering conservation and horticultural
activities. The research purpose was to explore participants’
perceptions of this unique socio-cultural and physical
environment and its impact on occupational engagement.
Method: An ethnographic approach (Hammersley & Atkinson
2007) enabled exploration of the centre’s culture and the
experiences of its volunteers. Researching as outsiders on
participants would not be congruent with its empowering
and flexible ethos. Hence, our immersion in the physical and
social activities enabled live conversations with participants
and we contributed to the practical work there. Transcribed
interview data were analysed thematically (Braun & Clarke
2006). Member-checking of the preliminary findings will be
offered at an informal workshop to invite participant comments
and feedback for incorporation into the final analysis and
dissemination.
Discussion: Preliminary analysis indicates key themes of
belonging, of being valued and respected. Additionally, the
centre’s informality allowed flexibility in attendance, and the
support of co-volunteers and the woodland owners were
significant in maintaining involvement. Opportunities to use
existing skills and develop new ones demonstrated the power
of occupation in enhancing feelings of enjoyment, achievement
and connection. The importance of the physical and social
environments in facilitating engagement and contributing to
wellbeing were paramount.
Conclusion: Recognition of the influence of the context and
structure of services on people’s ability to engage in therapeutic
activities is crucial in order to enable individuals to access
support in their mental health recovery.
References
Braun V, & Clarke V (2006) Using thematic analysis in
psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3, 77–101
Fieldhouse J & Sempik J (2014) Green care and occupational
therapy. In: Bryant W, Fieldhouse J, Bannigan K (eds) Creek’s
Occupational Therapy in mental health (5th end). Edinburgh:
Churchill Livingston pp 309–327
Hammersley M & Atkinson P (2007) Ethnography. Principles in
practice (3rd edn). London: Routledge
Keywords
Mental health, Research, Practice – present and future,
Voluntary/third sector services
Contact E-mail Addresses
fiona.cole@cumbria.ac.uk
Author Biographies
Fiona Cole is an occupational therapist with a mental health
background and senior lecturer at the University of Cumbria. She
is interested in how occupational science can inform practice
and in particular exploring occupational engagement with
physical activities and its influence on health and wellbeing.
Mark Christie is a senior lecturer in sport and physical activity
development at the University of Cumbria. The focus for his
research interests are in physical activity and sport development,
especially in respect of evaluating the effectiveness of projects
aimed at inclusion and raising participation amongst hard to
reach groups in society.
Session 52.2
The meaning of a communal green space for
recreational occupation
Payne A, University of Derby
Green spaces are important places as they provide opportunities
for people to experience individual physical and mental health
benefits and collective (social) community benefits through
engagement in occupation (Thompson & Kent, 2014).
An ethically approved UK based research project was undertaken
to critically explore the meaning of a communal green space,
through examining the meaning of a local park to its community
members and its occupational use.
A mixed methods approach was utilised, combining quantitative
and qualitative data collection from a convenience sample of
community residents. As a member of the sample community
it was important to maintain anonymity and reduce researcher
influence, therefore online questionnaire and telephone based
interview methods were employed.
Findings revealed three themes. Occupation from an individual
and collective context, occupation and place, how occupational
engagement was linked to emotional and functional attachment,
and finally community building through park development, how
collective occupational engagement impacted the community.
The findings highlighted the interconnectedness of the park,
community members, and their occupational engagement. The
natural space provided individual and collective occupational
engagement opportunities, which led to positive community
development. Thus demonstrating how recreational occupations
within green spaces can enhance individual well-being and
community health.
Findings are important for further developing a collective
perspective of occupation (Fogelberg & Frauwirth, 2010),
identifying the importance of place and for understanding the
relationship between collective occupation and community
health.
References
Fogelberg, D., and Frauwirth, S. (2010). A complexity science
approach to occupation: Moving beyond the individual. Journal
of Occupational Science, 17(3), pp.131–139.
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