Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Research and Innovations (new projects / technology / innovations / service models)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Choi YY(1), ChanWK(1), ChanYHJ(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
Occupational therapists recognize the therapeutic value of activities in improving overall function, performance, and psychological wellbeing (Creek, 2014). The Program of Resilience and Adaptability (「文武雙全課程」) with different activities were arranged for outpatients with psychiatric illness. The word「文」emphasized knowledge, philosophy and mind cultivation, all of which contributed to the development of resilience. Resilience refers to the ability to rebound and recover from stress or challenges. It involved activities such as psychoeducation groups (for illness management, emotional management, life skill management, etc), expressive art creation, lifestyle redesign, social skills and interaction. 「武」associated with qualities such as combat, strength, courage, and self-defense, which contribute to the development of Adaptability. Adaptability was the ability to change and respond to new circumstances, finding new ways of thinking and behaving. Activities included mindfulness movement (e.g. Baduenjin, stretching), relaxation (e.g. progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery), and life skills training were under this stream.
Objectives :
This pilot study aims to explore the potential impact of the program activities in promoting wellbeing.
Methodology :
Outpatients with psychiatric illness who joined or were joining the program were eligible subjects. Qualitative data was collected through a 20-minute semi-structured interview, participant’s experiences and perceptions of various group activities were solicited.
Result & Outcome :
Eight participants were recruited by convenience sampling in the first two weeks of 2024. All were females with ages ranging from 20 to 66. Diagnoses included common mental disorders (50%), schizophrenia (37.5%), and bipolar affective disorder (12.5%). Preliminary thematic analysis of the interview data revealed positive impacts of program activities on wellbeing. To identify these impacts by nature, participants reported an increased “sense of satisfaction”, “sense of purpose”, “enjoyment”, “Improved self-confidence”, “Skill development”, “sense of mastery” which were associated with Resilience「文」; while “improved coping strategies for stressors and stressors”, “enhances social interaction and support”, “reducing feeling of isolation”, “fostering sense of community reintegration” were more related to Adaptability「武」.
This pilot study provides evidence supporting the use of activity. The program activities in the study contributed to resilience and adaptability, as they enhanced individuals' knowledge and abilities to cope with challenges, develop skills, and adjust to changing circumstances, ultimately improving their wellbeing. Further research with larger-scale studies is needed to validate these preliminary findings.
