Social inclusion and occupational engagement in disaster recovery: an analysis of community-driven action using the CORE Approach

Introduction With disaster events disrupting occupational engagement and magnifying social exclusion, there is a need to focus on social inclusion in the context of occupation-focussed disaster recovery. The Capabilities, Opportunities, Resources and Environments (CORE) approach provides one means through which to do so. Using the CORE approach as an analytical tool, this study explores Australian community members’ experiences of disaster recovery, through analysis of narratives from the COVID-19 pandemic and bushfires that took place around Australia in the period 2019- 2022. Objective To explore the capabilities, opportunities, resources and environments that support occupational engagement and social inclusion after a disaster event. Method In this qualitative study, an analysis of extant data in the form of narratives from the publication Doing Our Best: Individual and Community Responses to Challenging Times was undertaken (Occupational Therapy Australia, 2022). A reflexive thematic analysis aligning with a constructionist and interpretive epistemology and ontology was utilised. Results In adapting to challenges associated with disaster events, community members described participation in meaningful occupation-based solutions that: aligned with personal, family and community values and supported capabilities built through previous life experiences. They also described the opportunities, resources and environments that supported social inclusion. Conclusion Narrative exploration using the CORE Approach has potential therapeutic benefit in disaster recovery, with the process supporting occupational therapists to engage in a truly collaborative pursuit of authentic occupational outcomes in disaster recovery work.