Experiences of meaning of occupation at day centers among people with psychiatric disabilities

Abstract

Background: There is a need for intervention studies of persons with psychiatric disabilities who attend day centers (DCs).

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how people living with psychiatric disability experience and describe the meaning of occupation at DCs after taking part in an intervention.

Methods: An interpretative phenomenological approach was used and 11 participants in the intervention were interviewed.

Results: The superordinate theme describing the experienced meaning at the DC was As a substitute for work, and the sub-themes were; A feeling of belonging to a subculture; Flexibility and adaptation of occupation in accordance with the individual’s needs and recovery process; and Influence.

Conclusions: The results indicated that the intervention played an important role for the creation of meaning at the DC’s for the participants in their daily lives and appeared to promote their well-being. Activities that promoted structure and were experienced as work-like as well as activities that promoted social belonging and influence at the DC were experienced as meaningful. Further intervention studies are needed to gain more knowledge about how to tailor different approaches and activities at DCs in the municipalities that could be experienced as meaningful by their members.