Discerning the social in individual stories of occupation through critical narrative inquiry. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rudman, Debbie Laliberte; Aldrich, Rebecca M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational science. Volume 24:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 470
• Page End: 481
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Critical qualitative inquiry -- Narrative -- Neoliberalism -- Occupational possibilities; Work -- Periodicals; Occupations -- Sociological aspects -- Periodicals; Occupational therapy -- Periodicals; 306.3605
• DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2017.1369144
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1442-7591

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Calls to 'transcend the individual' in occupational science have emerged in recognition of the boundaries of individualistic perspectives and the drive to develop a socially responsive science. In this article, we contend that transcending the individual does not equate to neglecting how individuals make sense of and experience occupation; rather, it requires looking at individual constructions of experiences and occupations in critically informed ways that highlight the socio-political influences on those constructions. This discussion article considers how critical narrative inquiry can be taken up as a methodological approach to interpretively link individual 'stories' with social 'stories' or discourses, enabling further understanding of occupation as a situated and transactional phenomenon. Drawing on data from a study that is attending to transactions of policy, service, and individual perspectives of long-term unemployment, we illustrate how a critical approach to narrative interpretation highlights boundaries, resistance, contradictions, and tensions that provide insights into the situated nature of occupation.