Viewpoints of working sandwich generation women and occupational therapists on role balance strategies.
Occupational therapists need to be cognizant of evidence-based role balance advice and strategies that women with multigenerational caring responsibilities can implement independently or with minimal assistance, as role balance may not be the primary goal during many encounters with this population. Hence, this study aimed to identify the viewpoints on the most helpful role balance strategies for working sandwich generation women, both from their own perspectives and from the perspective of occupational therapists. This was achieved through a Q methodology study, where 54 statements were based on findings from interviews, sandwich generation literature and occupational therapy literature. In total, 31 working sandwich generation women and 42 occupational therapists completed the Q sort through either online or paper administration. The data were analysed using factor analysis with varimax rotation and were interpreted through collaboration with experts in the field. The findings revealed similarities between working sandwich generation women and occupational therapists, particularly in terms of advocating strategies related to sleep, rest and seeking practical assistance from support networks. Differences were also present, with working sandwich generation women viewpoints tending to emphasize strategies related to coping with a busy lifestyle attending to multiple responsibilities. In contrast, occupational therapy viewpoints prioritized strategies related to the occupational therapy process, such as goal setting, activity focused interventions, monitoring progress and facilitating sustainable outcomes.
a Occupational Therapy Program, School of Medical and Health Sciences , Edith Cowan University , Perth , Australia.|b School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work , Curtin University , Perth , Australia.
Kiah L
KL
Evans
a Occupational Therapy Program, School of Medical and Health Sciences , Edith Cowan University , Perth , Australia.|b School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work , Curtin University , Perth , Australia.
Sonya J
SJ
Girdler
b School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work , Curtin University , Perth , Australia.|d Department for Rehabilitation, School of Health and Welfare , Jönköping University , Jönköping , Sweden.|e Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences (IMH), Faculty of Health Sciences , Linköping University & Pain and Rehabilitation Centre , Linköping , Sweden.|f School of Occupational Therapy , La Trobe University , Melbourne , Australia.
Torbjorn
T
Falkmer
a Occupational Therapy Program, School of Medical and Health Sciences , Edith Cowan University , Perth , Australia.
Janet E
JE
Richmond
d Department for Rehabilitation, School of Health and Welfare , Jönköping University , Jönköping , Sweden.
Petra
P
Wagman
a Occupational Therapy Program, School of Medical and Health Sciences , Edith Cowan University , Perth , Australia.
Jeannine
J
Millsteed
b School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work , Curtin University , Perth , Australia.|c School of Education and Communication, CHILD programme , Institute of Disability Research, Jönköping University , Jönköping , Sweden.
Marita
M
Falkmer
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D000072087:Occupational Therapists / Q000523:psychology*; D011779:Q-Sort; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology*; D000072358:Work-Life Balance / Q000379:methods*
Multigenerational caregiving; Q methodology; working carer; working mother; work–family balance