Eric Asaba

Exploring experiences of “participation” among individuals living with chronic pain

The aim of this paper is to advance our understanding of participation and its relation to occupation, by analysing the daily occupational experiences of six men and women living with chronic pain. Open-ended interviews are used in conjunction with a constant comparative method of analysis. The findings are thematically presented as: “taking initiative and making choices”, doing something physical”, “doing something social”, and “doing something for others”. Furthermore, a short vignette is presented in which the authors attempt to juxtapose theoretical constructs with individual experiences in order to illustrate another level of contextual richness of the data. Methodological implications are discussed in relation to the findings, analytic presentation, and previous research.

Creativity and order in communication: Implications from philosophy to narrative research concerning human occupation

Narrative theory and methods are increasingly featured in qualitative research relating to human occupation. The present article addresses the concept of narrative in relation to some relevant foundational philosophical and theoretical roots. Specifically a twofold function of narrative as a mechanism for producing order versus creativity is highlighted. It is argued that these functions might serve as resources in research relating to human occupation, specifically regarding issues pertaining to change and agency. Examples from qualitative empirical research relating to human occupation are used to demonstrate points under discussion.

Moving Beyond ‘Aging In Place’ to Understand Migration and Aging: Place Making and the Centrality Of Occupation

‘Aging in place’ has become a key conceptual framework for understanding and addressing place within the aging process. However, aging in place has been critiqued for not sufficiently providing tools to understand relations or transactions between aging and place, and for not matching the diversity of contemporary society in which people are moving between and across nations more than ever before. In this article, the authors draw from concepts of place and migration that are becoming increasingly visible in occupational science. The concept of ‘aging in place’ is critically examined as an example of an ideal where the understanding of place is insufficiently dynamic in a context of migration. The authors suggest that the concept of place making can instead be a useful tool to understand how occupation can be drawn upon to negotiate relationships that connect people to different places around the world, how the negotiated relations are embedded within the occupations that fill daily lives, and how this process is contextualized and enacted in relation to resources and capabilities.

Hashi‐ire: Where occupation, chopsticks, and mental health intersect

This article is theoretical in nature and focuses on cultural meanings that unfold through social interactions and occupations. Despite its theoretical intent, it is based on data gathered ethnographically over a 3‐month period using interviews and researcher participation at a mental health setting. Observations and “hanging out” were used as primary approaches to understand the dynamics and social interactions among participants, with an emphasis placed on events and actions while honoring the context in which these take place. Short 20–30 minute interviews were conducted, and per request were recorded using a pencil and paper. Analyses draw upon a narrative mode of reasoning. Concepts of interdependence, work, and culture are discussed in relation to occupational science.

Complex negotiations : The lived experience of enacting agency after a stroke

Abstract Objective: This qualitative, longitudinal, descriptive study aimed to understand the lived experience of enacting agency, and to describe the phenomenon of agency and the meaning structure of the phenomenon during the year after a stroke. Agency is defined as making things happen in everyday life through one’s actions. Methods: This study followed six persons (three men and three women, ages 63 to 89), interviewed on four separate occasions. Interview data were analysed using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method. Results: The main findings showed that the participants experienced enacting agency in their everyday lives after stroke as negotiating different characteristics over a span of time, a range of difficulty, and in a number of activities, making these negotiations complex. The four characteristics described how the participants made things happen in their everyday lives through managing their disrupted bodies, taking into account their past and envisioning their futures, dealing with the world outside themselves, and negotiating through internal dialogues. Conclusions: This empirical evidence regarding negotiations challenges traditional definitions of agency and a new definition of agency is proposed. Understanding clients’ complex negotiations and offering innovative solutions to train in real-life situations may help in the process of enabling occupations after a stroke.

Returning to work after spinal cord injury: exploring young adults' early expectations and experience

Purpose. The study sought to explore experience and expectations about paid work among young adults on sick leave after spinal cord injury (SCI). Method. Eight participants with traumatic SCI, who were 20–34 years of age, and had not yet returned to work 1–5 years post-injury, were interviewed. Selection was made with purposive sampling. Data were analysed using a constant comparative method. Results. Four main themes emerged as relevant: ‘finding your way to an everyday life where work is possible’, ‘at the crossroads, expectations of work through education’, ‘expectations of paid work as part of a desired future life’ and ‘expectations of finding a solution within oneself or with help from others’. The findings reveal high expectations of work ability but at the same time difficulties to plan for return to work and lack of support in this process. Conclusions. The participants represent a vulnerable group in vocational rehabilitation due to their young age and recent injury. Without formal training or suitable work experience, they need tailored work support as part of their general rehabilitation.

Occupational Terminology: Occupational potential

This paper presents two understandings of human potential when studied from an occupational perspective (occupational potential) and proposes some new ways of thinking about and exploring occupation. Asaba and Wicks outline their respective PhD research journeys, including an overview of the literature of human potential and the philosophy of potentiality, and their findings pertaining to the construct of occupational potential as well as the philosophical idea of potentiality in relation to occupation. The authors conclude that occupational potential incorporates human potential and the philosophical notion of potentiality and argue for the need for further development and inclusion of the concept within a lexicon of occupational science.

Qualitative approaches in occupational therapy research

Abstract Objective: Development of research in occupational therapy requires a continuous critical discussion concerning methodological approaches. In this paper the authors wish to contribute to such a discussion by introducing the Formal Data-Structure Analysis approach (FDSA) as a method for understanding peoples experiences. Methods and results: A review of selected publications from occupational therapy journals between 2003 and 2005 illustrated that qualitative articles within occupational therapy publications were mainly descriptive in nature. This finding raises questions about how to develop new knowledge that contributes to occupational therapy. Conclusions: In this paper the authors suggest that it is possible to apply the FDSA approach not only when describing and categorizing qualitative phenomena, but also when aiming to reach an in-depth understanding of issues related to human meaning-making; for example, how we understand engagement in occupations or living with a disability. Examples of the application of the FDSA approach are included and discussed.

From individual to communal experiences of occupation: Drawing upon Qi Gong practices

This article is based on an ethnographic study that used empirical data and social sciences literature to explore the social dimensions of Qi Gong as a community from an occupational perspective. Interviews, participant observations, and ‘hanging out’ sessions were conducted with 9 participants over a 6‐month period. Data were analysed using a constant comparative method. The findings suggest that a collective occupational experience of sharing and validating facilitated the formation of a community. Moreover, through the use of a symbolic or coded language, participants connected with each other through occupation. Relationships with people who did not engage in Qi Gong were also discussed. It is argued that new knowledge concerning occupation can be generated when seeing occupation as a central aspect of forming a sense of or context for community.

What is participation? A story of mental illness, metaphor, & everyday occupation

The aim of this study is to explore experiences and enactment of participation through daily occupations. It extends the literature addressing the concept of participation, shedding light on participation as enacted through daily occupations among individuals living with mental illness. The authors attempt to provide a venue for persons with mental illness to be heard, while also juxtaposing the complexity of socio‐political tensions around participating in society. Method: Narrative interviews and participant observations were conducted over a 4‐month period. In keeping with narrative analyses, the analysis in this study is based on data from one participant that aims to draw together the storied material from multiple interviews and observations into one coherent story. Findings: The findings are presented as a story where metaphors such as “balancing the boat” and “participation as if in the Olympic Games” were used to describe experiences and possibilities around participation. The findings enrich current understandings of the complexity surrounding participating in society through daily occupations when living with mental illness.