Graduation Year

2017

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Background: Substance abuse and addiction have become serious societal problems resulting in a myriad of health, personal and relational issues (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). Gutman (2006) reported that an individual involved in substance abuse and addiction may experience difficulty with purposeful time management and may neglect major life roles. The focus of this Capstone Project was to identify the occupational dysfunction experienced by individuals prior to participating in residential recovery programming.

Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone Project was to identify occupational dysfunction associated with substance abuse and addiction using the Lifestyle History Questionnaire (Martin et al., 2015). The project aimed to understand occupational dysfunction among individuals abusing substances, as well as to identify differences in occupational functioning in regard to age and gender among individuals with substance abuse and addiction disorders. The study also aimed to suggest that occupational therapy is a necessary discipline in treating individuals in recovery from substance abuse, and to subsequently suggest essential content for occupational therapists in regard to evaluation and intervention planning for individuals in recovery for substance abuse disorders.

Theoretical Framework: The study was conducted using the theoretical framework of the Person - Environment – Occupation (PEO) model (Law et al., 1996). PEO is focused on the relationship and influence of the individual, the environment, and the occupation.

Methods: Ninety-two participants (47 females and 45 males) were recruited for participation in this study from three residential substance abuse rehabilitation centers in a selected Midwestern city to complete the Lifestyle History Questionnaire (LHQ) (Martin et al., 2015). The participants were asked to reflect on their occupational engagement and experiences with substance use prior to participating in residential recovery using a Likert scale.

Results: Analysis of quantitative data identified that across the LHQ’s seven domains, Occupational Disruption, Dominating Habits and Routines, Social Context, Family Disapprobation, Residual Strengths and Self-Medicating/Sleep were frequently correlated with each individual’s substance use, while the Physical Context was rarely seen as a correlate among the 92 participants. Among participants, male and female respondents did not report differences in occupational functioning across the seven domains during substance use. Individuals that reported alcohol as their main substance of abuse were older (38 years) than individuals recovering from prescription, non-prescription and poly-substances (ranging from 30-32).

Conclusions: Data analysis indicated that substance abuse negatively impacts occupational functioning, indicating that occupational therapy can be a valuable therapy in treating individuals in recovery from substance abuse and addiction. The Lifestyle History Questionnaire can be a useful tool in identifying occupational dysfunction, directing occupational therapists to provide client centered and holistic treatment to individuals in substance abuse and addiction recovery.

Faculty Mentor

Amy Marshall

Department Affiliation

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Colleen M. Schneck

Department Affiliation

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Christine Raber

Department Affiliation

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

000942

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