Spirituality in the occupational therapy community fieldwork process: A qualitative study in the South African context

Mthembu, Thuli Godfrey; Wegner, Lisa; Roman, Nicolette V.

doi:10.17159/2310-3833/2016/v46n3a4

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It was evident the use of technology facilitated occupational adaptation, as older adults were able to connect with others using a variety of social media platforms such as WhatsApp to video call church friends and receive sermons. In accordance with occupational adaptation, the findings of the meta-synthesis indicated that the older adults developed a sense of competence, self-efficacy, and identity, which corroborate other studies 60,63,64,65 . This process of dynamic occupational adaptation by the older adults speaks to a higher degree of resilience to environmental barriers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Older adults' adaptiveness to disruptions during South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown: Keep your head up and continue breathing

Vries

Mthembu

Wegner

2023

S. Afr. j. occup. ther.

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INTRODUCTION: Adaptiveness fosters resilience through increasing capacity to transcend barriers in individuals, their environment and occupational engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown may have decreased adaptiveness in older adults by disrupting occupational engagement, thus negatively influencing health and well-being METHODS: A qualitative, meta-analytic design was used to explore the adaptiveness of older adults to disruptions experienced during South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown. Four student researchers' primary studies were reviewed and findings synthesised for this paper. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants during April and May 2020. The transcripts were analysed thematically and reported in the primary studies. The authors conducted thematic analysis across all four primary studies to develop themes for this paper FINDINGS: Three dominant themes emerged: (1) COVID-19 as an illness, (2) occupational disruptions experienced by older adults, and (3) developing a state of adaptiveness. Older adults developed adaptiveness through changing perspective, adapting to new environments, learning to use technology, expanding roles and routines, and strengthening the spiritual self through engagement in eudemonic occupations CONCLUSIONS: The study provides insights into challenges and adaptiveness of older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown. Findings inform interventions with older adults presenting with reduced adaptiveness Implications for practice This study is valuable as it provides occupational therapists with a deeper understanding of older adults' experiences and challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown, thus, laying the potential for strengthening client-therapist interpersonal relationships. Although the sample observed in this study was older adults, the findings can be considered among other vulnerable clients such as individuals with disease, illness and/or disability. Additionally, these findings may provide occupational therapists with insights that can assist in framing intervention strategies for clients with a decreased state of adaptiveness. This is significant as adaptation requires reasonable social, emotional, and cognitive processes. Lastly, this study aimed to contribute to a wealth of research exploring adaptiveness, rooted in the reality that change is inexorable; however, how we respond to change can be transformative for individual and population well-being.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Older adults' adaptiveness to disruptions during South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown: Keep your head up and continue breathing

Vries

Mthembu

Wegner

2023

S. Afr. j. occup. ther.

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“…In the absence of believing in the supernatural, people tend to perceive spirituality as a motivating force, integrating mind, body and spirit (Mthembu et al, 2018). Similarly, Hess and Ramugondo (2014) and Mthembu et al (2017b) agree that spirituality provokes and nourishes 'human volition as a basis for action' and that engaging in spiritual activities in the community are motivating and health promoting. Likewise, occupational therapy students perceived that spiritual occupations are motivating and associated with coping styles, motivation and satisfaction with life (Misiorek & Janus, 2019;Mthembu et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By recognising the individuality and uniqueness of clients, occupational therapists can develop clientcenteredness in their everyday practice. Mthembu et al (2017b) explored spirituality in community fieldwork practice and concluded that spirituality was a core element of communities, emphasising that occupational therapy practice should involve awareness of the spiritual needs of communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Qualitative Study of Occupational Therapists’ Understanding of Spirituality in South Africa

et al. 2022

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Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that assists clients to restore meaning to their lives-a vital spiritual task. Spirituality is a multifaceted and multidimensional construct that occupational therapists need to integrate into everyday practice. In this study, Occupational Therapy educators' and clinicians' understanding of spirituality in their practice was qualitatively explored by purposively selecting 24 participants who attended a workshop based on an appreciative approach, in Gauteng, South Africa. Data were collected through self-report interview schedules and focus group inquiries and were analysed using the creative hermeneutic method. Participants expressed spirituality in occupational therapy as connectedness, meaning of life and client-centred practice.

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Ethics in Occupational Therapy – An African Perspective

Mthembu

2018

Advancing Global Bioethics

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Spirituality in the occupational therapy community fieldwork process: A qualitative study in the South African context

Abstract: Background: Spirituality is an integral part of communities; it is influenced by the environment and provides

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Older adults' adaptiveness to disruptions during South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown: Keep your head up and continue breathing

Older adults' adaptiveness to disruptions during South Africa's COVID-19 lockdown: Keep your head up and continue breathing

A Qualitative Study of Occupational Therapists’ Understanding of Spirituality in South Africa

Ethics in Occupational Therapy – An African Perspective

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