Mindfulness in paediatric occupational therapy practice: a phenomenological inquiry

Abstract

Purpose

While research into mindfulness practices is on the rise across populations, there is evidence to suggest that clinical practice has outpaced the literature with regard to mindfulness in pediatric rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of occupational therapists who opt to incorporate mindfulness into their clinical practices with children and youth.

Methods

Hermeneutic phenomenology was the methodology of the study. The theoretical framework employed a Heideggerian-informed phenomenology of practice. Eight occupational therapists practicing in Canada and the United States participated in 90–120 min semi-structured interviews that elicited first-hand accounts of mindfulness in pediatric occupational therapy practice. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Finlay’s four-step approach.

Results

Six salient themes were identified in the data: drawing from personal practice, enhancing participation, fostering healthy habits, adapting for children, keeping it playful, and doing with.

Conclusion

The findings of this study offer insights for therapists who are considering incorporating mindfulness into their practices with children and youth. Further, this research highlights a number of research priorities that require further inquiry.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Mindfulness is growing in popularity and may support occupational engagement in children and youth receiving rehabilitation services.

• Mindfulness practices may support rehabilitation providers in approaching their work with children and youth from a critical perspective.

• Further development of the child- and youth-centred mindfulness approaches may be warranted to enhance engagement and appropriateness for a range of ages and conditions.

Keywords:

• Mindfulness
• occupational therapy
• paediatrics
• phenomenology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.