Relationship of Momentary Volition to Occupational Experience and Life Perspective in Undergraduate Students.

Our lives are comprised of moment-to-moment activities and experiences. According to the Model of Human Occupation, our occupational experiences can be affected by volition, which consists of personal causation, values, and interests. This study investigated how momentary volition could affect activity satisfaction and mind-wandering while performing occupations. This study also examined the relationship of momentary volition with overall life perspectives on life satisfaction and life balance. Undergraduate students participated in this cross-sectional study. The experience sampling method (ESM), which repeatedly collects real-time data in everyday life, was applied in this study to measure students' momentary states such as activity, volition, activity satisfaction, and mind-wandering. After completing the ESM, participants' life satisfaction and life balance were measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and the Life Balance Inventory (LBI), respectively. Forty-two participants and 1092 sampling data points were included in the analysis. At the event level, regression analysis was performed to identify volition elements to contribute to activity satisfaction and mind-wandering. At the personal level, correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship of momentary volition to life satisfaction and life balance. Momentary personal causation, values, and interests contributed to activity satisfaction. Mind-wandering was predicted negatively by interests but positively by personal causation. Momentary interests were positively correlated with SWLS and LBI scores. This study demonstrated that momentary volition was associated with activity satisfaction and engagement, as well as life satisfaction and balance in undergraduate students. Momentary volition, especially interests, contributed to positive occupational experiences and life perspectives. This study suggests that occupational therapy practitioners need to consider momentary interests to provide occupation-centered interventions for undergraduate students.

Impact of using the Model of Human Occupation: a survey of occupational therapy mental health practitioners' perceptions.

AIM: While little is known about how occupational therapists perceive the use of occupation-focused theory in their practice, evidence indicates that it has been called for in the profession. To date, the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) is the most widely used model internationally. The aim of this study is to document practitioners' perceptions of how using MOHO impacted on their practice. METHODS: A descriptive study using an Internet-based survey study design was conducted with 429 therapists in six National Health Service (NHS) trusts in the UK. RESULTS: Of the 429 therapists, 262 completed the survey, for a response rate of 61.07%. Most were female (85.5%) with a varying range of years of experience. Most worked in community and/or inpatient mental health settings; 92.1% responded that they use MOHO as their primary model. Therapists reported using MOHO moderately to greatly improve their assessment, goal setting, and conduct of relevant interventions as well as professional identity as an OT in their mental health occupational therapy practice. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: This study examined therapists' perceived impact of using an occupation-focused model in mental health practice. The findings of this study provided promising results. Findings suggest that the utilization of MOHO increases service for clients and professional stature and identity for therapists.

Psychometric Study of the Occupational Self Assessment with Adolescents After Infectious Mononucleosis.

This study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Occupational Self Assessment (OSA) which measures clients' perceptions of their own competence and the value they assign to occupations. Two hundred and ninety-six adolescents with acute mononucleosis completed the OSA along with the Fatigue Scale, the Checklist of Infectious Symptoms, the Child Health Questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Results indicated that OSA items coalesced to capture the intended constructs that the rating scales functioned as intended and that over 90% of adolescents were validly measured. The OSA showed adequate sensitivity and was stable over time. As expected, the OSA measures of competence were moderately associated with infectious symptoms, fatigue severity, health status, and stress while the measure of values was not and both measures were not associated with age, gender, or ethnicity. Finally, as expected, adolescents who had not recovered from mononucleosis after 12 months showed lower measures on the competence scale while still attaching the same value/importance to occupational participation when compared to recovered adolescents.

The occupational and quality of life consequences of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in young people.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic fatigue syndrome, termed myalgic encephalomyelitis in the United Kingdom (CFS/ME), is a debilitating condition involving severe exhaustion, cognitive difficulties, educational and vocational losses, and disruption of social activities and relationships. CFS/ME may affect volition (that is, value, interest and sense of competence). PURPOSE: To test Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) concepts by comparing young people with and without CFS/ME in terms of occupational participation, volition and health-related quality of life during infection and over time. METHOD: Three hundred and one people (12-18 years old) diagnosed with glandular fever were evaluated at the time of acute infection (baseline). Six months following diagnosis, 39 of them met the criteria for CFS/ME. A further 39 who recovered were randomly selected and matched to CFS/ME participants. Both groups were re-evaluated at 12 months and 24 months. The Occupational Self Assessment and the Child General Health Questionnaire were used to compare occupational participation. RESULTS: Those with CFS/ME reported lower levels of perceived competency, more difficulties with physical functioning and poorer general health status than those who recovered. CONCLUSION: Those with CFS/ME report lower perceived competency, and compromises in physical functioning, school performance, social activities, emotional functioning and general health. This supports the MOHO assertion that impairments affect volition and quality of life.

Therapeutic use of self: a nationwide survey of practitioners' attitudes and experiences.

Practitioners' preparation for, attitudes toward, and experience of the therapeutic relationship and use of self were explored using a survey study with a random sample of 1,000 American Occupational Therapy Association members. Participants reported a high value for the therapeutic relationship and use of self; most felt that they were inadequately trained and that the field lacks sufficient knowledge in these areas. Regardless of practitioners' age, gender, experience level, setting, treatment intensity, and client impairment, those who placed higher value on the use of self and had more training related to the therapeutic use of self were more likely to report interpersonal difficulties and feelings of positive regard for clients and were more likely to report concerns about clients. The findings suggest that more attention needs to be paid to the therapeutic relationship and to the therapeutic use of self in education and in research.

Choice, knowledge, and utilization of a practice theory: a national study of occupational therapists who use the model of human occupation.

Objective. To identify how therapists choose and use the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). Method. A systematic random sample of 1,000 occupational therapists was surveyed as to whether they used MOHO in their practice. Those who were using MOHO were then sent a detailed questionnaire; 259 therapists responded to the survey questionnaire, forming a response rate of 60.2 percent. Results. A total of 80.7% of therapists indicated that they had used MOHO in their practice. A number of factors influenced therapists' choice to use MOHO. The most frequently cited factors were therapists' judgment that MOHO fit their own practice philosophy and their clients' needs. Most therapists used multiple means of learning about MOHO, and the number of means they used was related to both self-reported levels of knowledge and utilization of this model. Many therapists are also actively engaged in sharing their knowledge and utilization of this model. Conclusion. Multiple factors contribute to therapists' choice and use of MOHO. Therapists actively make a decision to use MOHO in practice and put forth substantial efforts to learn and share their knowledge of MOHO.

Theory use in practice: a national survey of therapists who use the Model of Human Occupation.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes how occupational therapists who reported using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) actually use the concepts and tools of this model in everyday practice as well as identifies supports and barriers to its use. METHOD: A systematic random sample of 1,000 occupational therapists was surveyed as to what theories they used in their practice. Those using MOHO (430) were sent a detailed questionnaire; 259 therapists (60.2%) responded to the survey questionnaire. RESULTS: More than 80% of respondents indicated that they used MOHO in their practice at least some of the time. Therapists reported that MOHO supports holistic, occupation-focused, client-centered, and evidence-based practice. They reported finding MOHO concepts useful for treatment planning and intervention. Most saw the major barrier to using MOHO as their own lack of knowledge. CONCLUSION: Making resources more readily available and accessible to therapists might enhance the extent to which they use conceptual models such as MOHO.