Meaning of occupational engagement in life-threatening illness: a qualitative pilot project.
BACKGROUND
The onset of a personal crisis combined with the resultant disruption in occupational routines may challenge a person's identity as a capable and healthy individual. However, it remains unclear how individuals regain a sense of health and well-being in the period following a personal crisis.


OBJECTIVE
To explore occupational engagement and its meaning to individuals following a life-threatening diagnosis.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three women diagnosed with breast cancer. The data were analyzed using a constant-comparative approach to identify common themes.


RESULTS
The primary theme that emerged was "Doing = Living." This theme and the underlying themes illustrated the connection between meaningful occupational engagement and one's self-perception as capable and healthy. These findings suggest that occupational engagement may provide the medium through which 'deconstructive' or 'reconstructive' messages concerning the self are relayed between persons and their environment.


CONCLUSIONS
In a period of personal crisis, such as a life-threatening diagnosis, individuals may turn to those occupations that are meaningful to regain a sense of control and normalcy in their lives.
Vrkljan
B H
BH
School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario. brenda_vrkljan@hotmail.com
Miller-Polgar
J
J
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012649:Self Concept; D014937:Work