scholarly journals Doing gender and being gendered through occupation: Transgender and non-binary experiences

2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110344
Author(s):  
Rebecca Swenson ◽  
Pam Alldred ◽  
Lindsey Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
New Materialism ◽  
Doing Gender ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Transgender People ◽  
Personal Meanings ◽  
Critical Awareness ◽  
Gender Expression ◽  
Occupational Assimilation ◽  
Interview Analysis

Background Transgender people can face discrimination which can be reflected in and encoded by their occupational experiences. There is emerging research regarding those who are transgender but experiences of non-binary people remain under-explored. Purpose This study considered the occupational experiences of transgender and non-binary people and how gender expression related to engagement in occupations and space. Method Five transgender and non-binary people participated in repeat interviews, including a ‘walking interview’. Analysis was informed by new materialism. Findings Occupational engagement can re-enforce binary understandings of gender or facilitate creative expressions of gender identity. Within normative environments, occupational participation can offer assimilation, particularly for non-binary people. Some occupations provided emancipation from binary gender norms through expression such as clothing and creative activities which provided recognition and belonging. Symbolic and personal meanings of occupations shifted when participants were able to express themselves in a way that felt authentic. Conclusion ‘Occupational assimilation’ can bring safety from scrutiny for those who are transgender and non-binary but curtails authentic expression. Occupational therapists have a role in supporting transgender and non-binary people in accessing occupations which facilitate their authentic gender expression and need to improve critical awareness of the culturally encoded binary nature of many occupations and environments.

Enabling Occupation: The Importance of an Affirming Environment

2001 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Rebeiro
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Over Time

Occupational therapists have become increasingly concerned with factors beyond the individual which impact occupational performance. Several recent models propose that the environment is a significant influence on occupational performance and upon its meaningfulness. An in-depth, qualitative study was conducted which explored the meaning of occupational engagement for eight women with mental illness (Rebeiro & Cook, 1999). This study yielded several important insights about the environment, which have recently been replicated by Legault and Rebeiro (2001) and Rebeiro, Day, Semeniuk, O'Brien, and Wilson (In Press). Participants suggested that environments that provide opportunity, and not prescription are more conducive to fostering occupational performance. Participants further suggested that an environment that provides Affirmation of the individual as a person of worth, a place to belong, and a place to be supported, enables occupational performance over time. A series of research studies indicated that the social environment is an important consideration in planning therapeutic interventions which aim to enable occupation. Implications for occupational therapy practice, education and research are offered

scholarly journals Fashion, Dressing, and Identities in Ballroom Subculture

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Zoi Arvanitidou
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Sexual Expression ◽  
Transgender People ◽  
Gender Expression ◽  
Fashion Models ◽  
And Gender

The Ballroom scene is an underground subculture created by African Americans and Latinos and gives emphasize in issues of race, gender, and sexual orientation within the heterogeneous society. The members of this subculture live in an organized social structure based on the acceptance and the celebration of sexual and gender expression. Balls are competitions where transgender people are involved, performing different kinds of dances. Balls provide to the queer community a cozy place to build their sense of self in their hidden world without the limitations imposed by society on gender and sexual expression. Balls are a combination of fashion, competition, and dance. “Voguing” is the characteristic dance of Balls and it is an extremely stylized dance form. Vogue magazine’s model poses to inspire it, and it uses the arms and legs with dramatic, rapid and feminine edgy ways. “Voguing” includes catwalk, dance, spins and other risky styles of movement. The “Voguing” has the major role in Ballrooms that contain fashion catwalk and competitions, where African and Latinos gays and transgender participate in a competition, imitating fashion models in the catwalk with gestures and poses to win an award. The panel of the critics, in a Ball, judges them from the movements of their dance, attitudes, costumes and the ingenuity in all of these areas. Today there are three basic types of Voguing: a) the Old Way, b) The New Way and, c) The Vogue Femme.

scholarly journals Experience of Occupations among People Living with a Personality Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Olivier Potvin ◽  
Catherine Vallée ◽  
Nadine Larivière
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Sense Of Control ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Interview Guide

Introduction. Personality disorders are common mental health disorders, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 4 to 15%. People living with personality disorders are extensively seeking mental health services, yet few papers focus on their unique occupational needs or effective rehabilitation interventions that may alleviate the occupational issues they face. Occupational therapists are encouraged to support engagement in socially valued occupations, while preventing engagement in damaging ones, despite a lack of evidence on the meaning and the lived experiences of people. Objectives. This paper describes the meaning attributed by people living with personality disorders to their main occupations and the underlying needs they strive to fulfill through occupational engagement, whether or not these occupations are sanctioned. Methods. This exploratory study rests on a descriptive interpretative methodology. The participants were ten men and women, aged between 18 and 35 years old and living with a Cluster B personality disorder. A semistructured interview guide allowed participants to build narratives on occupations that are important to them and discuss how these occupations shape their identity. A thematic content analysis fostered the development of a coding structure that reflected a first-account perspective. Results. The narratives provided by the participants depict a variety of meaningful occupations, many of which are socially disapproved. Many of these occupations serve as a coping strategy to deal with distressing situations, to connect with others who share similar life experiences, or to reestablish a fragile sense of control. Other occupations are socially disapproved due to the overinvestment of the participants’ commitment. While participants described how this overinvestment allowed them to control destructive impulses, significant others perceived it as counterproductive and unnecessary. Participants perceived self-care occupations as painful and tedious chores or meaningless occupations. Engaging in productive occupations allowed some participants to gain recognition or to identify their competencies, but also confirmed their differences, creating some form of alienation or marginalisation. Conclusion. This exploratory study invites clinicians and researchers to develop a more responsive understanding of occupational engagement for this population. The results highlight the importance of situating occupations in their context, while endorsing a first-account perspective, to better understand the forces that shape occupational engagement. Ultimately, occupational therapists should critically appraise their assumptions around healthy and unsanctioned occupations, in order to respond with sensitivity to the needs and experience of their clients, without perpetuating the marginalisation and discrimination they face.

Identifying the contribution of occupational therapy in meeting the needs of women survivors of breast cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 402-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Keesing ◽  
Lorna Rosenwax ◽  
Beverley McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Women Survivors ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Role Engagement ◽  
Therapy Service

Introduction Little is known about how occupational therapy could assist women survivors of breast cancer and their partners who experience activity and role limitations during survivorship. This study sought to obtain views and consensus among occupational therapists regarding their potential role and the barriers and enablers to this potential service. Method We used a three-round classical Delphi process to determine the views of occupational therapists ( n = 40), and sought consensus (70%) for 49 statements concerning barriers and enablers affecting occupational therapy service provision during survivorship. Thematic analysis was used to determine themes and descriptive statistics to determine consensus level and median for statements. Findings Forty-six statements showed consensus. Themes identified were: (a) women and partners experience unmet needs; (b) gaps exist regarding supportive care; (c) access to comprehensive survivorship support is required; (d) barriers to occupational therapy exist; and (e) occupational therapists offer many supports to improve activity and role engagement for women and partners. Conclusion Occupational therapy is well-positioned to affect improvements in occupational engagement and role participation for women survivors of breast cancer and their partners. However, many barriers are identified. Occupational therapists must advocate the value of occupational therapy during survivorship to facilitate women’s engagement in meaningful activities and roles.

Clarifying the Construct of Occupational Engagement for Occupational Therapy Practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kennedy ◽  
Jane A. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Greater Toronto Area ◽  
Therapeutic Engagement ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

Occupational engagement (OE) has been presented as a core construct in occupational therapy; however, its broad conceptualization and confounding definitions are problematic. Clarifying the construct of OE would help occupational therapists to explicate the nature of their practice. The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapists’ perspectives of the construct of OE. Qualitative descriptive methodology was used to collect data using semistructured interviews with nine practicing occupational therapists in the Greater Toronto Area. Qualitative content analysis, using an inductive approach, was employed to uncover emerging categories. Participants spoke about transitioning from therapeutic engagement to OE with a client by following a client’s path of choice. The essential elements and influencers of OE were highlighted, and the relationship between OE and occupational performance was discussed. The findings provide an initial understanding of essential elements necessary to enable clients to initiate engagement in therapy and then, subsequently, in occupations of their choice.

The value of cycling as a meaningful and therapeutic occupation

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Feighan ◽  
Anne E Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Personal Meaning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Personal Meanings ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Mind Set

Introduction Occupational therapists believe that meaningful occupations are linked to an individual’s health and wellbeing, and there is a growing literature exploring the personal meaning of specific occupations. However, few of these studies have focused on the personal meaning of active sporting occupations and their therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to explore the personal meanings attributed to the occupation of cycling, with a view to providing occupational therapists and others with an understanding of its therapeutic potential. Method Following approval by an ethics committee, seven men and women who cycled regularly took part in semi-structured interviews. These interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to interpret the data. Findings The findings describe how and why cycling was meaningful. Cycling altered their mind-set and their emotions, contributed towards their identity and connected them to others. These themes concur with the findings of other studies and provide a rationale for their use therapeutically. Conclusion This study contributes to what is known about the value people derive from cycling, and its impact on their health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists can use this information for individual and group therapy as well as for guidance on the health and wellbeing of communities.

scholarly journals Adapting a Person’s Home in 3D Using a Mobile App (MapIt): Participatory Design Framework Investigating the App’s Acceptability (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manon Guay ◽  
Mathieu Labbé ◽  
Noémie Séguin-Tremblay ◽  
Claudine Auger ◽  
Geneviève Goyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Design ◽  
3D Model ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Design Framework ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Available Technology ◽  
Adaptation Processes ◽  
Study Participants

BACKGROUND Home adaptation processes enhancing occupational engagement rely on identifying environmental barriers, generally during time-consuming home visits performed by occupational therapists (OTs). Relevance of a 3D model to the OT’s work has been attested, but a convenient and consumer-available technology to map the home environment in 3D is currently lacking. For instance, such a technology would support the exploration of home adaptations for a person with disability, with or without an OT visit. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to document the development and acceptability of a 3D mapping eHealth technology, optimizing its contribution to the OT’s work when conducting assessments in which home representations are essential to fit a person’s needs. METHODS A user-centered perspective, embedded in a participatory design framework where users are considered as research partners (not as just study participants), is reported. OTs, engineers, clinicians, researchers, and students, as well as the relatives of older adults contributed by providing ongoing feedback (eg, demonstrations, brainstorming, usability testing, questionnaires, prototyping). System acceptability, as per the Nielsen model, is documented by deductively integrating the data. RESULTS A total of 24 stakeholders contributed significantly to MapIt technology’s co-design over a span of 4 years. Fueled by the objective to enhance MapIt’s acceptability, 11 iterations lead to a mobile app to scan a room and produce its 3D model in less than 5 minutes. The app is available for smartphones and paired with computer software. Scanning, visualization, and automatic measurements are done on a smartphone equipped with a motion sensor and a camera with depth perception, and the computer software facilitates visualization, while allowing custom measurement of architectural elements directly on the 3D model. Stakeholders’ perception was favorable regarding MapIt’s acceptability, testifying to its usefulness (ie, usability and utility). Residual usability issues as well as concerns about accessibility and scan rendering still need to be addressed to foster its integration to a clinical context. CONCLUSIONS MapIt allows to scan a room quickly and simply, providing a 3D model from images taken in real-world settings and to remotely but jointly explore home adaptations to enhance a person’s occupational engagement.

Factors That Influence the Occupational Engagement of Older Adults with Low Vision: A Scoping Review

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 234-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen E McGrath ◽  
Debbie Laliberte Rudman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Age Related

Introduction: Prior research has provided occupational therapists with an understanding of the negative impact of low vision on self care, leisure and productivity. In order to guide future low-vision rehabilitation services, an understanding of the factors that influence the occupational engagement of older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL) is also needed. Method: A scoping review of the literature was conducted in order to identify those factors that have been shown to influence the occupational engagement of older adults with ARVL, and to identify future research needs. Findings: As identified in this scoping review, five types of factors were shown to influence occupational engagement for older adults with ARVL including: demographic variables, emotional components, behavioural components, diagnostic components, and environmental aspects. Conclusion: Although findings pertaining to personal factors can inform practice, few studies explored the influence of environmental factors on occupational engagement. Given that occupation is a result of person-environment transactions, it is important that future research more fully explores environmental influences in order to enable occupational therapists to deliver services that optimize the occupational performance of seniors with ARVL.

scholarly journals The “What Now?” Workbook: Its potential utility following life-changing events

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie A. Taylor ◽  
Vivienne Jones ◽  
Carole D. Farrell
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Potential Utility ◽  
Future Planning ◽  
Serious Illness ◽  
Personal Meanings ◽  
Occupational Therapy Intervention ◽  
Therapy Intervention

Background. Following a life-changing event, such as a serious illness, people can experience a disruption of meaning and identity, making it difficult to move forward. The “What Now?” Workbook was developed to enable exploration of the personal meanings of specific occupations to facilitate future planning. Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility—usability and usefulness—of the workbook in practice. Method. Five occupational therapists trialled the workbook at a specialist cancer centre in England. Qualitative data were gathered via a focus group, an interview, and questionnaires. The data were subject to a realist thematic analysis. Findings. The findings showed the workbook to have actual and potential utility for service users in this setting, as perceived by their occupational therapists, by helping them to explore occupations, their loss, meanings, and future possibilities as part of an occupational therapy intervention. Implications. The workbook appears to offer a structured yet flexible way to explore personal meanings of occupations, enabling service users to gain insights and move forward following a life-changing illness.

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