title: 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.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Sciences , Lund University , Sweden ;
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eklund
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health Sciences , Lund University , Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Argentzell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009790:Occupations; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D012648:Self Care
keywords: Day center; gender; outpatients; psychiatry; psychometry; time allocation