Perception of occupational balance by people with mental illness: A new methodology

ABSTRACT

Aims The aims were to (i) investigate initial construct validity of a tool for assessment of time allocation in occupational balance, and (ii) describe perceived occupational balance and its relationship with socio-demographics, well-being, and personal recovery among people with mental illness. Methods Satisfaction with Daily Occupations and Occupational Balance (SDO-OB) was administered to 226 persons. SDO-OB reflects balance in five occupational domains: work, leisure, home chores, self-care, and overall occupational balance. Indicators for assessing construct validity were: satisfaction with everyday occupations, occupational value, symptom severity, and psychosocial functioning. For the second aim, the data collection included socio-demographics, life quality, self-esteem, self-mastery, and personal recovery. Results Occupational balance ratings indicated the participants were either under-occupied or in balance. Few were over-occupied. Feeling in balance was related to greater well-being and recovery compared with being under-occupied. Risk factors for under-occupation were younger age (in relation to work), and higher education (in relation to overall balance). Conclusions Associations with the indicators suggest initial construct validity. The SDO-OB is promising for assessment of occupational balance among people with mental illness. Being under-occupied was detrimental to well-being and recovery, and this indicates the importance of offering more occupational opportunities for people with mental illness.

KEYWORDS:

• Day center
• gender
• outpatients
• psychiatry
• psychometry
• time allocation

Acknowledgements

The authors express their thanks to researchers and research assistants who contributed to the data collection: Mette Friis, Carola Glittrén, Åsa Henriksson, Jenny Hultqvist, Rilindje Kurtaj, Birgitta Gunnarsson, Carina Tjörnstrand and Stefan Widerberg. They also gratefully acknowledge that the Swedish Medical Research Council financed the study (grant number K2009-69X-20067-04-3).

Disclosure statement

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.