Occupational therapy and unemployment: exploration of lifestyle change

Unemployment is a significant social issue in Ireland today with 14.2% of the population unemployed (CSO 2012). Occupational Therapists have the potential to collaborate with this population to promote well-being (AOTA 2009, Douthwaite 1994). This research study is one strand of a larger research project initiated by the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Limerick. The overall aim of the study was to evaluate an occupational therapy group intervention designed to assist people who are unemployed to stay healthy. The purpose of this research strand is to explore occupational change in participants post intervention. The methodology used for this research was a qualitative phenomenological approach through semi-structured interviews. The themes that emerged from the data include; taking ownership and initiating change, empowered with new skills and confidence, power of group influence and role adjustment. The results highlight the important role of Occupational Therapy in generating positive lifestyle change in unemployed populations. This research also demonstrates the potential for Occupational Therapists and other professionals worldwide who work with unemployed populations to initiate similar programmes.