Anne A. Poulsen

Loneliness and life satisfaction of boys with developmental coordination disorder: the impact of leisure participation and perceived freedom in leisure.

A theoretical model linking motor ability with perceived freedom in leisure, participation in team sports, loneliness, and global life satisfaction was tested using linear confirmatory path analysis. Participants were 173 boys aged 10-13 years who filled in self-report questionnaires about perceived freedom in leisure, loneliness, and global life satisfaction. Parents of boys completed 7-day diaries and 12-month retrospective recall questionnaires about their sons leisure-time activity participation. Results of path analyses confirmed that the fit of the hypothetical model was consistent with predictions. The inferred direct pathways of influence between both total loneliness and global life satisfaction on motor ability were in the expected directions (i.e., inverse and positive relationships, respectively). Perceived Freedom in Leisure (PFL) and participation in team sports were two intermediate variables indirectly influencing these relationships. Although PFL was identified as a motivational process influencing participation levels in team sports it was noted that other psychological and environmental factors must also be considered when evaluating child-activity-environment fit for boys with developmental coordination disorder.

Can I play too? Physical activity engagement of children with developmental coordination disorders

Background. Children with developmental coordination disorders (DCD) are less physically active and have significantly different patterns of social and physical play than their well-coordinated peers. Factors. The impact of motor incoordination on physical activity engagements throughout life is influenced by a multitude of factors. External factors such as the social, cultural and physical environment may act as either supports or barriers to active physical involvement. Individual characteristics including the unique physical and psychological attributes of the child with motor coordination difficulties also impact on engagement in physically active occupations. Result. A model is proposed that conceptualizes the multiple dimensions which impinge on the decisions to select, engage and persist in physical activities for children with developmental coordination disorders. Practice Implications. The occupational therapists role in promoting a balanced and physically active lifestyle is explored. Interventions to increase physical activity participation for children with DCD are dependent on a full understanding of the complex, multi-dimensional correlates of occupational engagement.

Leisure Time Physical Activity Energy Expenditure in Boys with Developmental Coordination Disorder: The Role of Peer Relations Self-Concept Perceptions

An integral aspect of occupational therapy practice is the facilitation of active participation in health-enhancing leisure for all individuals. Boys with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are at risk of limited participation in recreational physical activities, which has implications for physical health associated with low energy expenditure. Therefore, identification of mechanisms influencing relationships between physical coordination ability and physical activity energy expenditure is warranted. Self-concept perceptions were investigated as potential mechanisms influencing energy expenditure during the out-of-school hours for boys with DCD. Participants were 60 boys with DCD and 113 boys without DCD between 10 and 13 years of age who were assessed by the Self-Description Questionnaire-I and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Parents completed 7-day diaries that were used to record intensity, duration, content, and social and physical context of leisure time activities. Boys with DCD were found to have lower mean scores than boys without DCD for energy expenditure and self-concept appraisals of physical ability and physical appearance, peer relations and parent relations, and general self-concepts. The peer relations self-concept was identified as a significant mechanism mediating the relationship between physical coordination ability and low energy expenditure. The clinical significance of the peer relations self-concept as a change mechanism influencing the negative relationship between physical coordination ability and sedentary behavior is discussed.

Work engagement in cancer workers in Queensland: The flip side of burnout

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate factors associated with work engagement and burnout in cancer workers in Queensland.

A brief office-based hazard perception intervention for drivers with ADHD symptoms

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a simple and brief hazard perception training intervention tailored to meet the needs of male drivers with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Methods: Twenty male drivers with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms were quasi-randomly assigned to either a hazard perception training package (trained group) or a control intervention video (untrained group), presented in an office setting. Video-based hazard perception tests involving real-life driving scenes were conducted both before and after the interventions. Results: The hazard perception response times of the trained group significantly improved compared with the untrained group, t (18) = 3.21, p < 0.005. Conclusions: Significant improvements in hazard perception response times in male drivers with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms were found following the training intervention. This indicates that such training has potential for inclusion in a management plan for reducing the crash rates of this high risk group of drivers. The training is practical, quick, and affordable, and has the potential to translate into real-world driving outcomes.

Movement skills proficiency and physical activity: A case for Engaging and Coaching for Health (EACH)–Child

BACKGROUND/AIM Supporting childrens participation in health-enhancing physical activities is an important occupational goal for therapists. Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are thought to underpin and enable many activity options. This study had two goals: first, to examine the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical activity, and second, to use this and existing evidence to inform strategies whereby childrens motivation for and engagement in physical activity can be supported. METHODS A cross-sectional investigation of 124 children, aged 6-12 years, was undertaken. FMS were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) and physical activity by pedometer step counts. RESULTS A weak but significant association was found between weekend physical activity and balance skills for girls. Correlations between physical activity and ball skills or manual dexterity were not significant for either gender, however, having age appropriate ball skills did result in greater but not significant levels of physical activity for all children when grouped together. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study question the magnitude of the relationship between childrens FMS and physical activity as measured by pedometers. If the goal of health enhancement through physical activity engagement is to be realised, it is proposed that community, occupation-based approaches may offer more potential than skills-based interventions at increasing activity participation. The concept of Engaging and Coaching for Health (EACH)-Child is introduced to this end. Occupational therapists are encouraged to work collaboratively with school and community organisations to assist children to find the physical activities that best accommodate their interests, abilities and offer opportunities for lifelong engagement.

Participation, self‐concept and motor performance of boys with developmental coordination disorder: A classification and regression tree analysis approach

AIM Identification of relationships between participation, psycho-social adjustment and motor performance factors in boys with developmental coordination (DCD) using a classification and regression tree approach to determine patterns of potential vulnerability. METHODS A quantitative cross-sectional design investigating a cohort of 60 boys aged 10-13 years with DCD was employed. Classification and regression tree analysis of: (i) fundamental movement skill performance on tests of balance, ball skills and manual dexterity, (ii) self-concept perceptions and (iii) leisure-time activity participation, was used to define different risk groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Five meaningful groups of boys were identified. Poor manual dexterity was the strongest discriminator of group membership in the three most severely affected groups confirming the significance of fine motor difficulties as a key grouping variable and supporting previous research using cluster analyses. Low participation in out-of-school informal social-physical activities was found to be a new grouping factor alongside poor peer relations self-concept. A final group describing boys with poor motor performance across all fundamental movement skill areas who had high participation in structured social non-physical activities, such as choir or band, was identified. The potential for future classification and regression tree analyses to inform clinical decision making was discussed.

Enhancing retention of occupational therapists working in mental health: relationships between wellbeing at work and turnover intention.

BACKGROUND/AIM Occupational therapists working in mental health who experience burnout, low work engagement or poor job satisfaction are at risk of poor wellbeing at work and may be more likely to leave their jobs. The aim of this project was to explore factors associated with wellbeing at work and turnover intention in a sample of occupational therapists working in mental health. METHODS One hundred and three occupational therapists working in mental health in Queensland completed a survey exploring work/life balance, effort invested in work, rewards received from work, wellbeing at work (job satisfaction, burnout and work engagement) and turnover intention. Analyses were conducted to explore relationships between work/life balance, effort, reward, wellbeing at work and turnover intention. RESULTS All measures of wellbeing at work were significantly associated with turnover intention. A large proportion (33%) of the variance in turnover intention was predicted by job satisfaction. Perceptions of both work/life balance and effort invested in work, as well as perceived rewards in terms of recognition, prestige and personal satisfaction were significantly associated with work-related wellbeing scores. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Results from this study deepen the understanding of factors associated with wellbeing at work and turnover intention for occupational therapists in mental health. This knowledge will support the development of interventions aimed at reducing turnover intention and enhancing retention of occupational therapists in the mental health workforce.

Evaluation of the effect of a 1‐day interventional workshop on recovery from job stress for radiation therapists and oncology nurses: A randomised trial

Cancer care workers experience high levels of occupational stress that can have adverse mental and physical health consequences. Educating health professionals about self‐care practices throughout their careers can potentially build resilience. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention to improve recovery from job stress, increase satisfaction with current self‐care practices and improve sleep quality.

A cross‐sectional study of stressors and coping mechanisms used by radiation therapists and oncology nurses: Resilience in Cancer Care Study

Occupational stress and burnout are well‐recognised experiences reported by cancer care workers. The aim was to describe the frequency and severity of potential stressors as well as the effectiveness of coping skills of radiation therapists (RTs) and oncology nurses (ONs), which make up the two largest occupational groups in cancer care.