A small-scale study exploring the efficacy of scale modelling as an open intervention for military veterans with mental health conditions

Abstract

Introduction: Medical discharges due to mental health conditions have steadily increased within the British Armed Forces since 2007, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cited for 41% of these. Mental health conditions can adversely impact engagement in activities of daily living. Research has shown that meaningful activity has benefits for mental well-being and engagement in this population. Aims: This small-scale study aimed to determine whether scale modelling had a measurable impact on veteran well-being and to describe how the results of this study may inform future occupational therapy research with veterans. Method: This was a retrospective quantitative design using the Short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale to gather pre- and post-engagement data from veterans attending scale-modelling groups. Results: N = 12. There was a positive difference between pre- and post-engagement in scale modelling, p < 0.05, and effect size 0.61 within a limited participant pool. The Model-of-Human-Occupation and the Occupational Perspective of Health framework demonstrated that participants who found meaning and value in an activity were most likely to benefit from it. Conclusion: This study suggests that scale modelling enables health, well-being and independence for veterans if found meaningful by them. This is a limited-size study contributing to an under-researched area, opening pathways for further research with this participant group.