Affiliations: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Ume?University, Sweden
Note: [] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ume{\aa}
University, S-901 87 Ume{\aa}, Sweden. Tel.: +46 90 786 9272; Fax.: +46 90 786
9267; E-mail: Inga-Britt.Branholm@rehabmed.umu.se
Abstract: {\it Objectives:} To investigate: 1) internalization of occupational
roles and 2) levels of satisfaction in psychiatric outpatients with vocational
disability. {\it Study design:} Twenty subjects, 8 men and 12 women, aged
20--55, participated in the study. The past, present and expected values of 10
occupational roles were identified. Levels of satisfaction with life as whole
and on eight different domains were reported on a six-step scale ranging from
very dissatisfied to very satisfied. {\it Results:} The student and worker roles were not part of current
life, in contrast to the past (5 years ago) and the expected future. The roles
of family member and home maintainer were the most appreciated both in the past
and at present. All of the participants expected to add both number and level
of role involvement in the future. No-one were satisfied with life as whole.
All but one were dissatisfied with their vocational and financial situations.
Most were also dissatisfied with their leisure situation, family life,
partnership relations, sexual life, and contacts with friends. {\it Conclusions:} The low levels of satisfaction with life as whole
and the different domains reflect the disadvantageous situation of the
participants in the study. The low number of occupational roles and the low
level of meaningful role involvement support the associations between
occupational roles and life satisfaction. It is suggested that occupational
role assessment would be an important focus in occupational therapy to help
people to more adaptive daily routines and to improve their quality of
life.
Keywords: daily routines, life roles, life satisfaction, occupational therapy
