Participation in meaningful occupation : how do young adults living with cerebral palsy experience the quality of their participation?

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Participation in meaningful occupations is what defines us as human beings and is an importantindicator of health and well-being. It is the way we experience the world around us and is closelylinked to quality of life. As an occupational therapist at a school for learners with specialeducational needs, the researcher was interested in how young adults with a diagnosis of CerebralPalsy (CP) who attended this school, experience their participation or the lack thereof inoccupations and if it contributes to meaning and fulfilment in their lives? She established throughinformal conversation with some of these young adults or their parents, that they experienceunemployment, unhappiness and poor integration within the community. The aim of this study wastherefore to describe how young adults living with CP in economically disadvantaged communitieswithin the Western Cape, experience the quality of their participation in meaningful occupations.A qualitative phenomenological study design was used, enabling the researcher to explore thevalue and meaning participants attach to different occupations, the participants perceptions of theirexperience and the factors impacting on their participation. The study population was young adultsbetween the ages of 18-28 years with a diagnosis of CP, who attended the previously mentionedschool and who exited school over the duration of the past nine years. The researcher usedpurposive maximum variation sampling, to ensure variation in terms of diagnosis, livingarrangements, employment and marital status. Data collection took the form of ten face-to-facesemi-structured individual interviews and inductive content analysis was utilized to analyse data.The following four themes emerged from the data: overcoming challenges; having equalopportunities; barriers holding me back and the future is mine to shape. These young adultsparticipated in a variety of meaningful occupations and have learned to utilize various strategies toovercome the difficulties they faced in this process. The following factors influenced theirparticipation positively: having meaningful relationships; accepting their disability and nurturing apositive attitude; being proud of their achievements; positive work experiences and involvement inthe community. Factors contributing to these young adults not experiencing meaningfulparticipation were the following: their perception of themselves and also how they perceived beingtreated by others; non-acceptance of their physical circumstances and disability; incompetenceand poor self-confidence; termination of previously meaningful occupations; challenges withinterpersonal relationships and unsatisfactory work experiences. The need to be as independentas possible was of utmost importance to all these young adults, as it was an indicator of being incontrol of their own lives. Given the above information, the researcher recommends a transitionpreparation program for senior phase learners that will include sessions on work habits, socialskills, transportation, self-employment and integration into the community to be implemented at theschool. Supported employment options should be explored as well to ensure maximumemployment among these learners exiting school. A follow-up system should be established toevaluate the effectiveness of the above-mentioned program.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University