Mello et al., (2020Mello, A. C. C., Dituri, D. R., & Marcolino, T. Q. (2020). The meaning making of what is meaningful: Dialogues with Wilcock and Benetton. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 28(1), 352-373. http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/2526-8910.ctoEN1896. http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/2526-8910.ctoE...
) |
Meaning |
- Acknowledges that “Doing means being engaged in occupations that are personally meaningful, but not necessarily intentional, healthy or organized” (p. 358), and concludes that “what is meaningful, seem[s] to be connected to well-being, qualified by the person” (p. 368) |
Christiansen (1999)Christiansen, C. H. (1999). The 1999 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture. Defining lives: Occupation as identity: An essay on competence, coherence, and the creation of meaning. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53(6), 547-558.
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Meaning |
- derived from fulfilling purpose, efficacy, value [“believing that we have done the right thing” (p. 552)], self-worth needs for meaning cannot be met “without engaging in occupation in a way that receives social validation” (p. 553) |
Crabtree (2003)Crabtree, J. L. (2003). On occupational performance. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 17(2), 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/J003v17n02_01. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/J003v17n02_01...
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Meaning |
- embodied in intentional, goal-directed activity - distinguishable from ‘meaningless’ activity subjective experience of the ‘doer’ “represents the intangible nexus between the spiritual, cognitive, emotional self and symbols, objects, and deeds” (p. 14) |
Crepeau et al. (2003)Crepeau, E. B., Cohn, E. S., & Schell, B. A. B. (2003). Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy. Philadelphia: Lippincott Willians &Wilkins.
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Meaning of occupation in relation to health and well-being |
- occupations as valued “day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well-being” (p. 28) |
Dubouloz et al. (2004)Dubouloz, C. J., Laporte, D., Hall, M., Ashe, B., & Smith, C. D. (2004). Transformation of meaning perspectives in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(4), 398-407. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.58.4.398. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.58.4.398...
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Meaning perspectives |
- personal beliefs, values, feelings, knowledge |
- can be barriers to [positive] health changes; amenable to transformation/reconstruction through critical reflection |
Dür et al. (2018)Dür, M., Brückner, V., Oberleitner-Leeb, C., Fuiko, R., Matter, B., & Berger, A. (2018). Clinical relevance of activities meaningful to parents of preterm infants with very low birth weight: a focus group study. PLoS One, 13(8), 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202189. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0...
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Meaningful activities |
- “generally positive qualities of subjective experiences associated with human action or doing” |
- can foster transitions (e.g., adaptation, identity) |
Eakman (2013)Eakman, A. M. (2013). Relationships between meaningful activity, basic psychological needs, and meaning in life: test of the meaningful activity and life meaning model. OTJR, 33(2), 100-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/15394492-20130222-02. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/15394492-20130...
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Meaningful activity |
- “generally positive qualities of subjective experiences associated with human action or doing” (p. 101) |
- social in nature (e.g., contributing to/caring for others; enjoyable social interactions); motivation, purposive action (e.g., control, success, progress); personal values, beliefs |
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Meaning in life |
- “making sense, order, or coherence out of one’s existence and typically reflects the importance of purposive engagement in day-to-day life” (p. 101) |
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Eakman (2015b)Eakman, A. M. (2015b). Person factors: Meaning, sensemaking, and spirituality. In C. H. Christensen, C. M. Baum, & J. D. Bass (Eds.), Occupational therapy: Performance, participation, and well-being (pp. 313-334). Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated.
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Meaningful occupation |
- “valued, personally relevant, and subjectively positive experiences associated with activity or occupation” (p. 314) |
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Personal meaning |
- acquired through belonging, doing, understanding |
Griffith et al. (2007)Griffith, J., Caron, C. D., Desrosiers, J., & Thibeault, R. (2007). Defining spirituality and giving meaning to occupation: the perspective of community-dwelling older adults with autonomy loss. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(2), 78-90. http://dx.doi.org/10.2182/cjot.06.0016. http://dx.doi.org/10.2182/cjot.06.0016...
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Meaning |
- “a subjective, dynamic experience defined by the person and given worth by his or her society” (p. 80) |
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- when derived spiritually: i) inherent meaning; ii) relationships; iii) transcendence |
Meaningful occupations |
- fulfil a drive to make a difference in the world |
- identity is “central to a person’s engagement in life through meaningful occupation” (p. 87) |
Hammell (2004)Hammell, K. W. (2004). Dimensions of meaning in the occupations of daily life. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(5), 296-305. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000841740407100509. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00084174040710...
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Dimensions of meaning |
- doing, being, belonging, becoming |
- contests framing ‘meaningful’ as inherently positive: “all occupations are meaningful; they all have some meaning for the individual engaged in them” (p. 297) (e.g., ‘humiliating’ may an experienced meaning) |
- meanings attributed to occupations are malleable |
Hannam (1997)Hannam, D. (1997). More than a cup of tea: meaning construction in an everyday occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 4(2), 69-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.1997.9686423. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.1997....
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Meaning of occupation |
- elements of experience that give “personal shape” to one’s “cultural world” (p. 73) |
Hasselkus (2002)Hasselkus, B. R. (2002). The meaning of everyday occupation. Thorofare: SLACK.
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Meaning in everyday occupation |
- being: to know and express one’s self |
- becoming: the potential for personal growth, transformation, self-actualization |
- influenced by “place” and culture |
Hocking (2009)Hocking, C. (2009). The challenge of occupation: describing the things people do. Journal of Occupational Science, 16(3), 140-150. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2009.9686655. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2009....
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Meaning |
- may be “mainstream or contested, highbrow or commonplace, sacred or profane, as a site of celebration, emancipation, oppression, weary drudgery, struggle, or degradation of the environment” (p. 145) |
- occupations are situated and multiple meaning, varying across individuals, families, and cultures |
Ikiugu (2005)Ikiugu, M. N. (2005). Meaningfulness of occupations as an occupational-life-trajectory attractor. Journal of Occupational Science, 12(2), 102-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2005.9686553. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2005....
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Meaningfulness |
- 4 proposition: |
1. meaningfulness of occupation is personal and idiosyncratic |
2. meaningfulness is inextricably bound with identity |
3. meaningfulness enhances ones’ sense of well-being |
4. a sense of continuity (consisting of an integrated past, present, and future) is essential to perceive ones’ live as meaningful |
Ikiugu et al. (2015)Ikiugu, M. N., Hoyme, A. K., Mueller, B. A., & Reinke, R. R. (2015). Meaningful occupation clarified: thoughts about the relationship between meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45(1), 47-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2310-3833/2015/v45no1a8. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2310-3833/201...
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Meaningful occupation |
- occupations that provide a sense of control, self-determination, and opportunity for self-transcendence |
Ikiugu et al. (2019)Ikiugu, M. N., Lucas-Molitor, W., Feldhacker, D., Gebhart, C., Spier, M., Kapels, L., Arnold, R., & Gaikowski, R. (2019). Guidelines for occupational therapy interventions based on meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(7), 2027-2053. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-0030-z. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-003...
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Meaningful occupation |
- “meaningful occupations are not necessarily always psychologically rewarding or mood enhancing” (e.g., “fun”) (p. 2029) |
Ikiugu (2019)Ikiugu, M. N. (2019). Meaningful and psychologically rewarding occupations: characteristics and implications for occupational therapy practice. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 35(1), 40-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2018.1486768. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2018....
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Meaning of occupation |
- subjective according to personal preferences, circumstances, and past experiences |
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Meaningful performance |
- autonomy to choose and do what one wants to do |
Keponen & Kielhofner (2006)Keponen, R., & Kielhofner, G. (2006). Occupation and meaning in the lives of women with chronic pain. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(4), 211-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038120600672975. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038120600672...
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Meaning of occupation |
- “meaning of occupation is not always positive” (p. 218) |
- occupation can be: source of enjoyment, a challenge to be solved, necessary to meet obligations without expectations of satisfaction/enjoyment |
Kielsgaard et al. (2021)Kielsgaard, K., Horghagen, S., Nielsen, D., & Kristensen, H. K. (2021). Approaches to engaging people with dementia in meaningful occupations in institutional settings: a scoping review. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 28(5), 329-347. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2020.1791952. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2020....
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Meaningful activity |
- “personally valued occupation related to an individual’s interests, preferences, personhood, motivations, autonomy, pleasure, or perceived significance of participating in specific occupations” (p. 1) |
- experiences of being connected to self, other, environment; maintain interest, joy, emotional, mental health; address need for control, continuation of creative thinking, maintenance of relationships, coherence in one’s life story |
Kinney et al. (2020)Kinney, A. R., Graham, J. E., & Eakman, A. M. (2020). Participation is associated with well-being among community-based veterans: an investigation of coping ability, meaningful activity, and social support as mediating mechanisms. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(5), 10-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.037119. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.0371...
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Meaningful activity |
- “engagement in activity that aligns with one’s values and interests, thereby generating a constellation of positive subjective experiences” (p. 2) |
Lawton (1993, as cited in Eakman et al., 2010aEakman, A. M., Carlson, M. E., & Clark, F. A. (2010a). Factor structure, reliability, and convergent validity of the engagement in meaningful activities survey for older adults. OTJR, 30(3), 111-121. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/15394492-20090518-01. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/15394492-20090...
) |
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- denotative meaning: objective physical characteristics and uses of activities |
- connotative meaning: personally subjective/ affective aspects of an activity; includes experiential, developmental, social meanings |
Mosey (1980)Mosey, A. C. (1980). A model for occupational therapy. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 1(1), 11-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J004v01n01_02. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J004v01n01_02...
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Meaningful existence |
- “a life situation which allows one to be productive; to have fun; to love and be loved; and to live in surroundings which are safe, supportive, and comfortable” (p. 15) |
Nelson et al. (1982)Nelson, D. L., Thompson, G., & Moore, J. A. (1982). Identification of factors of affective meaning in four selected activities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 36(6), 381-387. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.36.6.381. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.36.6.381...
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Meaning |
- “the process conducted by a person in interpreting symbolic information” (p. 382) |
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- a person’s interpretation influenced by feelings |
Affective Meaning |
- includes: i) evaluation - positive or negative feelings; ii) power - feelings regarding potential effect on the environment; iii) action – feelings about degree of movement/volatility |
(defined as per Osgood 1952, cited in Nelson et al., 1982Nelson, D. L., Thompson, G., & Moore, J. A. (1982). Identification of factors of affective meaning in four selected activities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 36(6), 381-387. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.36.6.381. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.36.6.381...
) |
- noted Osgood neglects certain affective dimensions (e.g., aggressiveness, compulsiveness, sense of competence) |
Nelson (1988)Nelson, D. L. (1988). Occupation: form and performance. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 42(10), 633-641. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.42.10.633. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.42.10.633...
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Meaningfulness of an occupation |
- an individual's interpretation of an occupational form (“meaning”), which may differ from sociocultural expectations |
Persson et al. (2001)Persson, D., Erlandsson, L. K., Eklund, M., & Iwarsson, S. (2001). Value dimensions, meaning, and complexity in human occupation - A tentative structure for analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 8(1), 7-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038120119727. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038120119727...
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Meaning |
- “a personal experience” (p. 15) |
- changes when disruptions or changes occur (e.g., injury illness) and may impact “global meaning of life” (p. 14) |
- a prerequisite is ‘occupational value’: i) concrete (e.g., satisfaction, competence); ii) symbolic (personal, cultural, universal); iii) self-reward (e.g., enjoyment) |
Petruseviciene et al. (2018)Petruseviciene, D., Surmaitiene, D., Baltaduoniene, D., & Lendraitiene, E. (2018). Effect of community-based occupational therapy on realth-Related quality of life and engagement in meaningful activities of women with breast cancer. Occupational Therapy International, 2018, 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/6798697. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/6798697...
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Meaningful occupation |
- purposeful activity “selected in accordance with the person’s interests and priorities” (p. 2) |
- positively affects health and quality of life; “absence is a major threat to human health” (p. 2) |
Reed et al. (2010)Reed, K., Hocking, C., & Smythe, L. (2010). The interconnected meanings of occupation: the call, being-with, possibilities. Journal of Occupational Science, 17(3), 140-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2010.9686688. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2010....
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Meaning of occupation |
- is “at the heart of who we are” (p. 146) |
- presence (or absence) of particular people can influence meaning |
- through occupation, people “become aware of the opportunities that open up or close down for them” (p. 147) |
Reed et al. (2011)Reed, K. D., Hocking, C. S., & Smythe, L. A. (2011). Exploring the meaning of occupation: the case for phenomenology. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(5), 303-310. http://dx.doi.org/10.2182/cjot.2011.78.5.5. http://dx.doi.org/10.2182/cjot.2011.78.5...
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Meaning of occupation |
- “revealed in what we are called to do, what excites, engages, or demands something of us, in contrast to those occupations that leave us bored, disinclined, or neglectful” (p. 305) |
- sharing an interest or “Being with” others (p. 305) |
- connecting the present with the past |
Roberts & Bannigan (2018)Roberts, A. E. K., & Bannigan, K. (2018). Dimensions of personal meaning from engagement in occupations: A metasynthesis. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 85(5), 386-396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0008417418820358. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00084174188203...
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Personal meaning |
- personal fulfillment (i.e., learning and development, pride and satisfaction, mastery, contribution) |
- restoration (i.e., enjoyment, pleasure, happiness, feelings, relaxation, ‘in the moment,’ sense of health and wellbeing, structure) |
- personal and sociocultural identity |
- connection (i.e., social, cultural, generational) |
- occasional “negative feelings” (p. 391) |
Rosenberg et al. (2019)Rosenberg, L., Pade, M., Reizis, H., & Bar, M. A. (2019). Associations between meaning of everyday activities and participation among children. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(6), 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.032508. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.0325...
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Meaningful occupation |
- self-initiated, important, valued; sense of enjoyment; achieving a sense of control (choice, autonomy); balancing challenge/demand and personal skill |
Rowles (2008)Rowles, G. D. (2008). Place in occupational science: a life course perspective on the role of environmental context in the quest for meaning. Journal of Occupational Science, 15(3), 127-135. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2008.9686622. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2008....
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Pathways to meaning in life |
- “achieving a sense of worth through the process of engaging in occupation – through ‘working’” (p. 128) |
- ‘loving’ through social relationships |
- exercising autonomy; ‘choosing’ responses and attitudes |
- “receptivity to the richness and mystery of life, appreciation of the world in which we live and the development of an understanding of our place in the cosmos” (p. 128-129) |
- meaning can be derived from hatred |
Tierney & Beattie (2020)Tierney, L., & Beattie, E. (2020). Enjoyable, engaging and individualised: a concept analysis of meaningful activity for older adults with dementia. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 15(2), 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/opn.12306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/opn.12306...
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Attributes that make activities meaningful for people with |
- enjoyable; suited to individual skills, abilities, preferences; related to personally relevant goals; engaging; related to an aspect of identity |
dementia |
- participation in personally 'meaningful activities' may positively impact lives |
Wada (2011)Wada, M. (2011). Strengthening the Kawa model: japanese perspectives on person, occupation, and environment. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(4), 230-236. http://dx.doi.org/10.2182/cjot.2011.78.4.4. http://dx.doi.org/10.2182/cjot.2011.78.4...
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Meanings of occupation |
- potential for subjectively ‘positive and negative meanings attributed to an occupation” (p. 235). |
White et al. (2013)White, C., Lentin, P., & Farnworth, L. (2013). An investigation into the role and meaning of occupation for people living with on‐going health conditions. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 60(1), 20-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.1202...
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Meaning of occupation in relation to on-going health conditions |
- “occupation empowers” (p. 25) |
- meaningful activity that enhanced well-being could pose risk to health |
- illness-oriented activities could become [positively] meaningful |
Wilcock (1998)Wilcock, A. A. (1998). Reflections on doing, being and becoming. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5), 248-256. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000841749806500501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00084174980650...
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Meaningful occupation |
- “doing well, well-being and becoming what people are best fitted to become is essential to health” (p. 255) |