Exploring the Meaning of Occupation: The Case for Phenomenology

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 303-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk D. Reed ◽  
Clare S. Hocking ◽  
Liz A. Smythe

Background. Some authors are beginning to challenge current categorisations of occupation as self-care, productivity, and leisure in favour of categories that address meaning. However, the meaning of occupation receives relatively little attention in the literature. Purpose. To provide a synthesis of the contemporary literature that considers the meaning of occupation and to argue that phenomenological insights into the meaning of occupation might usefully inform occupational therapy research, theory, and practice. Key Issues. Meaning is a key aspect of occupation. Three phenomenological meanings of occupation uncovered by a study conducted in New Zealand—the call, Being-with and possibilities—provide a starting point for practice, research, and theory informed by understandings of the lived experience of occupation. Implications. Occupational therapy's theories would benefit from an evidence base that includes meaning, which in turn would lead to authentic occupational therapy practice.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Abigail Barclay

<p>In New Zealand, most people do not find Medium Density housing (MDH) visually appealing. In October 2017, BRANZ carried out a survey on the different attitudes New Zealanders have towards MDH. This study concluded that the visual aesthetics is one of the top issues in shifting the acceptance of MDH within New Zealand. (BRANZ, 2017. p.2) Additionally in an attempt to house many people quickly, there have been growing concerns around the quality of the aesthetic output. (Howden-Chapman, 2015. p.80) This negative attitude towards MDH has fuelled the ever growing housing crisis.  This thesis proposes that improved aesthetic qualities can be achieved within a high density multiple housing project. It argues that identifying and analysing the current aesthetic issues connected with existing MDH in New Zealand, will create a starting point for further design-led research. From this critique, this thesis aims to design a viable alternative to the current New Zealand approach to MDH. This design will aim to model varied aesthetic qualities and to identify key strategies for potential application in other projects.  Research will occur through an extended series of different design-led research projects. Initially a quick fire design exercise in parallel with initial background research around the field of MDH and aesthetics will form the basis to begin from. Self and peer reflection will follow to inform the iterative research, extracting the key issues emerging from the research. Both research for design (theories and precedents), and researching through a series of iterative design projects occur. These two integrated research methods will be repeated in cycles throughout the year to keep the research current throughout the process and develop its depth.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Daryn Bean

<p>This kaupapa Māori examination of Māori leadership in the New Zealand public sector reveals that the experience of Māori working in government agencies is neither well understood nor specifically addressed in the fields of public administration and public-sector leadership. The study found that a key leadership practice of Māori public servants is to position themselves strategically and thoughtfully to advance mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori. They are public servants who are cognisant of the Crown–Māori spaces in which they occupy. They are careful in their assumptions and views about the underlying forces at play and the responsibility they have in working for government. They are concerned about the legitimate place of mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori in kāwanatanga spaces and work to alleviate and mitigate bureaucratic pressures imposed by the dominant Westminster model of governance. Māori leadership practices are designed and constructed through personal models of leadership shaped by Māori values, legacies, whakapapa, and whānau upbringing. Māori leadership practice has influence beyond the hierarchical structures of kāwanatanga. Metaphorically, Māori public servants are manu kōrero (literally, knowledge birds) who, given the right conditions, would not operate alone singularly, but operate as many birds, as Manurau (literally, one hundred birds). They work inside kāwanatanga – empowering and leading others, expressing rangatiratanga from a position of personal integrity, humility, and authority. This study applied critical theoretical tools for research and analysis and found answers that are rooted in kaupapa and mātauranga Māori methodologies. Te Arawatanga, as a tribal framework, positions the insider Māori researcher into a safe cultural space to be courageous about expressing rangatiratanga in a kāwanatanga context. Whakapapa analysis grounds the research within a Māori ontology. Whakataukī emphasises the Māori voices and narratives framed within the wisdom of ancestors. This study can be said to rest on the shoulders of those with lived experience who see with Māori eyes, hear with Māori ears and feel with a Māori heart. The significance of this thesis therefore provides a ‘starting point’ that seeks to legitimate the Māori leadership contribution to New Zealand’s public service and advocates for greater recognition and validation of Māori leadership practice and indigenous leadership in public administration globally.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Daryn Bean

<p>This kaupapa Māori examination of Māori leadership in the New Zealand public sector reveals that the experience of Māori working in government agencies is neither well understood nor specifically addressed in the fields of public administration and public-sector leadership. The study found that a key leadership practice of Māori public servants is to position themselves strategically and thoughtfully to advance mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori. They are public servants who are cognisant of the Crown–Māori spaces in which they occupy. They are careful in their assumptions and views about the underlying forces at play and the responsibility they have in working for government. They are concerned about the legitimate place of mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori in kāwanatanga spaces and work to alleviate and mitigate bureaucratic pressures imposed by the dominant Westminster model of governance. Māori leadership practices are designed and constructed through personal models of leadership shaped by Māori values, legacies, whakapapa, and whānau upbringing. Māori leadership practice has influence beyond the hierarchical structures of kāwanatanga. Metaphorically, Māori public servants are manu kōrero (literally, knowledge birds) who, given the right conditions, would not operate alone singularly, but operate as many birds, as Manurau (literally, one hundred birds). They work inside kāwanatanga – empowering and leading others, expressing rangatiratanga from a position of personal integrity, humility, and authority. This study applied critical theoretical tools for research and analysis and found answers that are rooted in kaupapa and mātauranga Māori methodologies. Te Arawatanga, as a tribal framework, positions the insider Māori researcher into a safe cultural space to be courageous about expressing rangatiratanga in a kāwanatanga context. Whakapapa analysis grounds the research within a Māori ontology. Whakataukī emphasises the Māori voices and narratives framed within the wisdom of ancestors. This study can be said to rest on the shoulders of those with lived experience who see with Māori eyes, hear with Māori ears and feel with a Māori heart. The significance of this thesis therefore provides a ‘starting point’ that seeks to legitimate the Māori leadership contribution to New Zealand’s public service and advocates for greater recognition and validation of Māori leadership practice and indigenous leadership in public administration globally.</p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742110058
Author(s):  
Isla G. Emery-Whittington

Background. Western ideologies and systems of occupation and justice are implicated in the colonization of indigenous peoples worldwide. Yet, colonialism, racism, and privilege are minimally acknowledged and examined within occupational therapy and occupational science literature, as evidenced in uncritical development of notions of “occupational justice.” Purpose. First, to open a discussion of how and why theories and approaches to justice have developed as they have in Aotearoa New Zealand. Second, to further a burgeoning field of Indigenous perspectives and critiques of colonial theorizing within the profession, while highlighting local Indigenous justice frameworks including Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Matike Mai Aotearoa. Key Issues. Colonialism is minimally examined in occupational justice approaches and promotion. Implications. Honest examination of colonialism alongside Indigenous justice frameworks can advance critical praxes of decolonising occupation and re-connect occupation with justice and equity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Badger ◽  
Rod Macleod ◽  
Anne Honey

AbstractObjectives:A key aim of palliative care is to improve the quality-of-life of people with a life-threatening illness. Occupational therapists are well positioned to contribute to this aim due to their broad range of interventions, client-centeredness and focus on occupation. However, there is a limited understanding of how occupational therapy contributes to the end-of-life experience, which is crucial to providing optimal care. The aim of this study is to investigate the lived experience of occupational therapy in palliative care for people with a life-threatening illness.Method:A hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants recruited from inpatient and outpatient sectors of a specialist palliative care hospital in Sydney, Australia.Results:The two themes developed from participant responses were: (1) occupational therapy provides comfort and safety and (2) trusting the occupational therapist to know what is needed.Significance of results:This study gives insight into the ways in which people with a life-threatening illness experience occupational therapy in palliative care. In addition, it provides a starting point to guide practice that is attentive to the needs of people with a life-threatening illness at end-of-life, thus enhancing client-centered care.


Author(s):  
Daniela Tavares Gontijo ◽  
Maria Eliete Santiago

A Terapia Ocupacional caracteriza-se pela multiplicidade de saberes e práticas direcionadas para a construção da autonomia que são direcionadas por diferentes referenciais teórico-metodológicos. Na atualidade, especialmente no contexto latino-americano, observa-se a ampliação das discussões sobre perspectivas críticas na Terapia Ocupacional, que apesar de sua pluralidade, de uma forma geral, dialogam com as obras de Paulo Freire. Este editorial tem como objetivo refletir sobre possíveis contribuições da Pedagogia Paulo Freire para a construção de práticas direcionadas à autonomia no contexto da Terapia Ocupacional.  O referencial de Paulo Freire pode subsidiar intervenções da Terapia Ocupacional que tenham como horizonte a humanização e a justiça social. Compreendendo as ocupações como expressão e formas de ação no mundo, pautar a Terapia Ocupacional na obra freireana implica na defesa de que estas sejam promotoras do “ser mais” dos seres humanos no processo de transformação de si e do mundo. Transformações que implicam e se concretizam no/pelo exercício da autonomia e que se potencializam na assunção de posturas críticas na realidade vivenciada. Nesta perspectiva, defendemos uma terapia ocupacional dialógica, fundamentada na amorosidade, humildade, fé nos seres humanos, esperança e pensar crítico. O encontro da Terapia Ocupacional com a Pedagogia de Paulo Freire, a partir de suas compreensões sobre a autonomia, pode contribuir significativamente para a reflexão e ação profissional, que numa perspectiva ética, seja efetivamente direcionada para a transformação do/no cotidiano no sentido da humanização e justiça social. Abstract: Occupational therapy involves a multiplicity of fields of knowledge and practices that aim to build autonomy and is thus guided by various theories and methodologies. There is currently, especially in Latin America, growing interest in the adoption of critical perspectives within occupational therapy, whose concerns, despite the plural nature of the profession, overlap with those of Paulo Freire. This editorial reflects on how Paulo Freire’s educational theories could help occupational therapy to develop practices that promote autonomy. Paulo Freire’s work can be used as a guide for occupational therapy interventions that aim to achieve humanization and social justice. Seeing occupations as a form of expression and action in the world, basing occupational therapy on Freire’s work involves arguing that it can help human beings to "be more" as part of the process of transforming themselves and the world. These transformations involve exercising autonomy and are made concrete through this. They gain power a critical position is adopted in relation to the world of lived experience. We therefore espouse a dialogic form of occupational therapy, based on love, humility, faith in human beings, hope, and critical thinking. The meeting of occupational therapy and Paulo Freire’s educational theories, through their shared understanding of autonomy, may provide a significant contribution to theory and practice in the profession, whose ethos involves engendering more humanity and social justice in our everyday lives.Key words: Autonomy; Everyday; Humanization; Paulo Freire education; Occupational therapy. Resumen: La Terapia Ocupacional se caracteriza por la multiplicidad de conocimientos y prácticas dirigidas a construir autonomía que se guían por diferentes referencias teóricas y metodológicas. Hoy en día, especialmente en el contexto latinoamericano, hay una expansión de las discusiones sobre perspectivas críticas en Terapia Ocupacional, que a pesar de su pluralidad, en general, dialogan con las obras de Paulo Freire. Este editorial tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre las posibles contribuciones de la pedagogía Paulo Freire a la construcción de prácticas dirigidas a la autonomía en el contexto de la terapia ocupacional. El marco de Paulo Freire puede apoyar las intervenciones de terapia ocupacional que tienen como objetivo la humanización y la justicia social. Entender las ocupaciones como expresión y formas de acción en el mundo, guiar la Terapia Ocupacional en el trabajo de Freire implica la defensa de que son promotores del "ser más" de los seres humanos en el proceso de transformarse a sí mismos y al mundo. Transformaciones que implican y se materializan en / a través del ejercicio de la autonomía y que se potencian en la asunción de posturas críticas en la realidad experimentada. En esta perspectiva, defendemos una terapia ocupacional dialógica, basada en el amor, la humildad, la fe en los seres humanos, la esperanza y el pensamiento crítico. El encuentro entre la Terapia Ocupacional y la Pedagogía de Paulo Freire, basado en su comprensión de la autonomía, puede contribuir significativamente a la reflexión y a la acción profesional, que desde una perspectiva ética, está efectivamente dirigida hacia la transformación de / en la vida diaria hacia la humanización. y justicia social.Palabras clave: Autonomia; Cotidiano; Humanização; Pedagogia Paulo Freire; Terapia ocupacional


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Abigail Barclay

<p>In New Zealand, most people do not find Medium Density housing (MDH) visually appealing. In October 2017, BRANZ carried out a survey on the different attitudes New Zealanders have towards MDH. This study concluded that the visual aesthetics is one of the top issues in shifting the acceptance of MDH within New Zealand. (BRANZ, 2017. p.2) Additionally in an attempt to house many people quickly, there have been growing concerns around the quality of the aesthetic output. (Howden-Chapman, 2015. p.80) This negative attitude towards MDH has fuelled the ever growing housing crisis.  This thesis proposes that improved aesthetic qualities can be achieved within a high density multiple housing project. It argues that identifying and analysing the current aesthetic issues connected with existing MDH in New Zealand, will create a starting point for further design-led research. From this critique, this thesis aims to design a viable alternative to the current New Zealand approach to MDH. This design will aim to model varied aesthetic qualities and to identify key strategies for potential application in other projects.  Research will occur through an extended series of different design-led research projects. Initially a quick fire design exercise in parallel with initial background research around the field of MDH and aesthetics will form the basis to begin from. Self and peer reflection will follow to inform the iterative research, extracting the key issues emerging from the research. Both research for design (theories and precedents), and researching through a series of iterative design projects occur. These two integrated research methods will be repeated in cycles throughout the year to keep the research current throughout the process and develop its depth.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Kelly ◽  
Danielle Kasperavicius ◽  
Diane Duncan ◽  
Cole Etherington ◽  
Lora Giangregorio ◽  
...  

AbstractIntersectionality is a widely adopted theoretical orientation in the field of women and gender studies. Intersectionality comes from the work of black feminist scholars and activists. Intersectionality argues identities such as gender, race, sexuality, and other markers of difference intersect and reflect large social structures of oppression and privilege, such as sexism, racism, and heteronormativity. The reach of intersectionality now extends to the fields of public health and knowledge translation. Knowledge translation (KT) is a field of study and practice that aims to synthesize and evaluate research into an evidence base and move that evidence into health care practice. There have been increasing calls to bring gender and other social issues into the field of KT. Yet, as scholars outline, there are few guidelines for incorporating the principles of intersectionality into empirical research. An interdisciplinary, team-based, national health research project in Canada aimed to bring an intersectional lens to the field of knowledge translation. This paper reports on key moments and resulting tensions we experienced through the project, which reflect debates in intersectionality: discomfort with social justice, disciplinary divides, and tokenism. We consider how our project advances intersectionality practice and suggests recommendations for using intersectionality in health research contexts. We argue that while we encountered many challenges, our process and the resulting co-created tools can serve as a valuable starting point and example of how intersectionality can transform fields and practices.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Love M. Chile ◽  
Xavier M. Black ◽  
Carol Neill

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of social isolation and the factors that create social isolation for residents of inner-city high-rise apartment communities. We critically examine how the physical environment and perceptions of safety in apartment buildings and the inner-city implicate the quality of interactions between residents and with their neighbourhood community. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used mixed-methods consisting of survey questionnaires supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions using stratified random sampling to access predetermined key strata of inner-city high-rise resident population. Using coefficient of correlation we examine the significance of the association between social isolation, age and ethnicity amongst Auckland's inner-city high-rise residents. Findings – The authors found the experience and expression of social isolation consistent across all age groups, with highest correlation between functional social isolation and “being student”, and older adults (60+ years), length of tenure in current apartment and length of time residents have lived in the inner-city. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, we did not seek in this research to compare the experience and expressions of social isolation in different inner-city contexts, nor of inner-city high-rise residents in New Zealand and other countries, although these will be useful areas to explore in future studies. Practical implications – This study is a useful starting point to build evidence base for professionals working in health and social care services to develop interventions that will help reduce functional social isolation amongst young adults and older adults in inner-city high-rise apartments. This is particularly important as the inner-city population of older adults grow due to international migration, and sub-national shifts from suburbs to the inner-cities in response to governmental policies of urban consolidation. Originality/value – By identifying two forms of social isolation, namely functional and structural social isolation, we have extended previous analysis of social isolation and found that “living alone” or structural social isolation did not necessarily lead to functional social isolation. It also touched on the links between functional social isolation and self-efficacy of older adults, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds.


2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-58
Author(s):  
Jane Furness

The field of family literacy, both theory and practice, has much to offer adult literacy education. However, family approaches in adult literacy are under-theorised and underdeveloped if the holistic wellbeing of the intended participants in programs based on these approaches is the primary concern. This article discusses one dimension of a larger study which explored the wellbeing-related effects of participation in four family focused adult literacy programs in New Zealand. This article discusses the principles and practices that were common across the programs. The study found that, despite differences in program content, foci and approaches, common principles and practices reflected shared values and beliefs about literacy and about people which shaped the program design and participants’ experiences of the program. I reaffirm the ideological nature of literacy, highlighting the necessity of paying attention to values and beliefs in literacy programs in order that the effects of involvement in them are in the best interests of individual participants, their families and their communities.


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