Understanding how prevocational training on care farms can lead to functioning, motivation and well-being. Issue 25 (3rd December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ellingsen-Dalskau, Lina H.; Berget, Bente; Pedersen, Ingeborg; Tellnes, Gunnar; Ihlebæk, Camilla
• Is Part Of: Disability and rehabilitation. Volume 38:Issue 25(2016)
• Page Start: 2504
• Page End: 2513
• Publication Date: 2016-12-03
• Subjects: Care farms -- need support -- return to work -- self-determination theory -- vocational rehabilitation; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1130177
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8288

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Prevocational training aims to improve basic vocational and social skills, supporting return to work for people who have been out of work for a long time. Care farms provide prevocational training; the aim of the study was to use the self-determination theory to gain an understanding of how these programmes can lead to healthy functioning and motivation for clients. Method: A total of 194 participants in prevocational training on care farms answered questions about demographic information, their perception of being a colleague, the social community on the farm, experiencing nature and animals and need satisfaction. A cross-sectional design resulting in a structural equation model was used to understand how elements of the care farm context influence satisfaction of three psychological needs. Results: The results showed that a feeling of being a useful colleague led to competence, experiencing a sense of group belonging led to relatedness and autonomy, while receiving social support from the farmer led to satisfaction of all three needs for the participants. Conclusions: The results explain how prevocational training can stimulate participants' functionality, motivation and well-being. This understanding enables initiators and managers of prevocational training to understand and further strengthen the need–supportive elements of such programmes. Implications for Rehabilitation: Prevocational training on care farms can facilitate motivation, functioning and well-being for clients. Making clients feel like useful colleagues that belong to a client group will strengthen the positive qualities of these programmes. Support, understanding and acknowledgement from the farmer are the most important elements for a positive development for the clients.