Doing-being-becoming: occupational experiences of persons with life-threatening illnesses.
OBJECTIVE
Life-threatening illness profoundly affects people's occupational functioning, yet continuing occupational engagement seems vital to their well-being. This qualitative study used a doing-being-becoming framework to explore the place of occupation in human lives threatened by illness.


METHODS
The experiences of 13 male and 10 female day hospice participants were investigated through a combination of focus groups, individual interviews, and participant observation. These data were interpreted by a process of constant comparison, coding, and theme building.


RESULTS
Experiences of doing were evident in accounts of losing and maintaining valued occupations and striving to preserve physical and mental functioning. A sense of being through occupational engagement arose in social relationships and self-exploration that enhanced feelings of self-worth. Occupation promoted the experience of becoming by providing fresh learning opportunities and a sense of contributing to others' welfare.


CONCLUSIONS
The data offer new insights into the potential benefits of occupational engagement for persons dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Use of the doing-being-becoming framework enriched analysis of these data, which, in turn, have contributed to the understanding of the framework's theoretical concepts.
Lyons
Michael
M
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia. Michael.Lyons@newcastle.edu.au
Orozovic
Nicole
N
Davis
Joanne
J
Newman
Julie
J
D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D033062:Friends; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009369:Neoplasms; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D009790:Occupations; D013140:Spiritualism; D019452:Terminally Ill