"I'm not alone": Women's experiences of recovery oriented occupational therapy groups following depression. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woolley, Hannah; Levy, Esther; Spector, Samantha; Geneau, Naomie; Castro, Aileen; Rouleau, Suzanne; Roy, Laurence
• Is Part Of: Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Volume 87:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Interpretive phenomenological analysis -- Mental health services -- Occupational therapy groups -- Qualitative research -- Rehabilitation; Analyse interpre´tative phe´nome´nologique -- Groupes d'ergothérapie -- Re´adaptation -- Recherche qualitative -- Services de santé mentale; Occupational therapy -- Canada -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Canada -- Periodicals; Therapeutics, Physiological -- Canada -- Periodicals; 615.8515
• DOI: 10.1177/0008417419878916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-4174

Abstract

Background: Occupational therapy groups have been carried out as interventions in mental health settings across a variety of populations. Limited research explores the lived experience of individuals with depression following participation in recovery oriented occupational therapy groups. Purpose: To better understand how recovery oriented occupational therapy groups shape participants' personal experience of daily life, including recovery. Method: Five individuals who had previously completed at least one recovery oriented occupational therapy group each participated in two in-depth semi-structured interviews. Analyses of the transcripts were completed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings: Participants' experiences of the recovery oriented occupational therapy groups ranged from positive to negative, with variable impacts on their lived experiences. Two major themes emerged: (a) participants' perception of "normal" and (b) navigation of meaningful participation. Implications: Increased understanding of what aspects of recovery oriented occupational therapy groups are meaningful to individuals with depression can help support their personal recovery process.