Experiences of Occupational Value When Doing Creative Activities in a Mental Health Context

Figures & data

Figure 1. Study design.

Table 1. Characteristics of the Participants in M2

Characteristic	Total sample n = 33 (%)	Interviewed n = 8 of 33 (% of n)
Age in years (min–max).	(19–72 years)	(19–72 years)
Mean	41.2	39.5
Gender woman, n (%)	22 (67)	6 (75)
Education, n (%)
Primary and lower secondary school	12 (36)	3 (38)
Vocational education and training*	9 (27)	2 (25)
Medium-cycle higher education**	8 (24)	2 (25)
Higher education***	4 (12)	1 (13)
Status, n (%)
Inpatients	31 (94)	7 (88)
Outpatients	2 (6)	1 (13)
Civil status, n (%)
Living alone	21 (64)	7 (88)
Living with others	12 (36)	1 (13)
Source of income, n (%)
Employed	5 (15)
Unemployed	14 (42)	4 (50)
On sick leave	1 (3)
Retired on a pension	13 (39)	4 (50)
Type of workshop, n (%)
Leather	2 (6)
Ceramic	2 (6)
Drawing/painting	16 (49)	6 (75)
Jewelry	7 (21)	1 (13)
Woodwork	1 (3)	1 (13)
Metalwork	1 (3)
Shop/recycling	4 (12)
Diagnoses; self-reported
Depression	10 (30)	5 (63)
Bipolar disorder	6 (18)	2 (25)
Schizophrenia	4 (12)	1 (13)
Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD)	4 (12)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)	2 (6)
Not stated diagnosis	7 (21)

Note. *Vocational education and training is fx.: educations like carpenter or hairdresser.

**Medium-cycle higher education is fx.: the professional bachelor programs at the University Colleges.

***Higher education is fx.: Master program at the universities.

Figure 2. Percentage distribution of occupational values (measure 1 and measure 2). (a) Measure 1. (b) Measure 2. The figure displays the percentage distribution of the experiences from 1 to 7 of the responses to the nine items of OVAL-9. Light blue = 1 (a low degree), orange = 2, grey = 3, yellow = 4, blue = 5, green = 6, dark blue = 7 (a high degree). Note that not all the response categories were used for some items. This is indicated with the value of 0 between adjacent categories.

Table 2. Sub-Categories and Categories of Experiences of Occupational Value of CaI According to the Occupational Value Triad

Value dimensions	Sub-categories	Categories
Concrete occupational value	CaI creates daily rhythm and structure CaI provides energy and motivation for activities of everyday life	Return to everyday
	Working professionally with arts and crafts creates meaningful content and activity in everyday life CaI gives something to do and look forward to. Experiences with CaI have meant new activity in everyday life outside the hospital.	New meaningful activity
	Doing CaI is serious work making marketable products in appropriate facilities Developed possibilities for creative expression and developing technical artistic processes.	Having work and a possibility to develop as an artist
Socio-symbolic occupational value	Doing CaI creates an experience of having a “normal” identity. Recognition of the creative product leads to recognition of the person behind. Doing CaI leads to a feeling of social recognition and of “being someone”	Strengthened identity and recognition
	Contact with peers meant reflection, expressing oneself and seeing your own situation in another and new perspective. “You are not alone” The stories of others created hope. Being a part of a creative and social community Being a part of the tradition and culture in the family	Belonging
	The creative product is a reflection of the personality Expression of i.e., emotions, identity and mental status through the therapeutic expression. Creates a visible physical form which helps dealing with negative energy	Self-expression.
Self-rewarding occupational value	Doing CaI: creates positive emotions and development, self-confidence, well-being and joy is relaxing, calming and stress reducing	Positive emotions and well-being
	Doing CaI: the brain gets a “break” forgetting time and place creates peace, diversion and refuge creates a break from everyday trivial activities	Distraction and creating a “free space”