Occupational Life in the Home Environment: The Experiences of People with Disabilities

BACKGROUND: There is a need to empirically explore the occupational engagement of people with disabilities to support the development of occupational therapy interventions. PURPOSE: This study describes how people with disabilities experience their occupational lives in their home environment. METHOD: Thirteen people with physical disabilities living at home were interviewed and data were subsequently analysed using a constant comparative method. RESULTS: The findings showed that interactions between the individuals and their environment influenced their experiences of engaging in occupations and the meaning of their home. Occupations formed three categories: always performed with others, occasionally disrupted or deprived. These were particularly related to the social support that was provided under different conditions. This condition formed a central category: access to social support for occupations. Their experiences of performing occupations in the home also formed another central category: transformed meaning of the home. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: By understanding enabling conditions as well as barriers to occupational engagement, effective occupational therapy interventions can be developed to support the occupational lives of people with disabilities.