Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Experiences of sensory input in daily occupations for people with serious mental illness

Andersson, Helene LU ; Sutton, Daniel ; Bejerholm, Ulrika LU and Argentzell, Elisabeth LU (2021) In Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 28(6). p.446-456
Abstract

Background: There is growing evidence that people with serious mental illness have impaired capacity for processing sensory inputs which affects daily occupation. Although this is known, research regarding the target groups experiences of sensory inputs in daily occupations is lacking. Aim: To investigate the experience of sensory input and strategies used in daily occupations among people with serious mental illness. Material and methods: Fourteen people with serious mental illness were interviewed regarding their experiences of sensory processing and strategies for managing sensory inputs in daily occupations. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results: Sensory processing issues affected occupational engagement and strategies... (More)

Background: There is growing evidence that people with serious mental illness have impaired capacity for processing sensory inputs which affects daily occupation. Although this is known, research regarding the target groups experiences of sensory inputs in daily occupations is lacking. Aim: To investigate the experience of sensory input and strategies used in daily occupations among people with serious mental illness. Material and methods: Fourteen people with serious mental illness were interviewed regarding their experiences of sensory processing and strategies for managing sensory inputs in daily occupations. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results: Sensory processing issues affected occupational engagement and strategies to control inputs were intuitively used to cope with sensory challenges. Informants either ignored, reduced or avoided sensory inputs. Informants also enabled daily life through strategies such as creating a home that provides rest, finding a safe place, using nature and animals for relaxing and using effects of calming and alerting occupations. Discussion: Specific sensory inputs were difficult to process, which was experienced as stressful and affected occupations negatively. The results imply a need for further research exploring the management of sensory input and the use of sensory modulation approaches to enable engagement in daily activities.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
occupation, recovery, sensory modulation, sensory processing, Serious mental illness
in
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
volume
28
issue
6
pages
11 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:32544360
  • scopus:85086927438
ISSN
1103-8128
DOI
10.1080/11038128.2020.1778784
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
cb851b4d-f596-415a-845c-7806d23bd938
date added to LUP
2020-07-13 12:45:14
date last changed
2024-06-26 18:47:41
@article{cb851b4d-f596-415a-845c-7806d23bd938,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: There is growing evidence that people with serious mental illness have impaired capacity for processing sensory inputs which affects daily occupation. Although this is known, research regarding the target groups experiences of sensory inputs in daily occupations is lacking. Aim: To investigate the experience of sensory input and strategies used in daily occupations among people with serious mental illness. Material and methods: Fourteen people with serious mental illness were interviewed regarding their experiences of sensory processing and strategies for managing sensory inputs in daily occupations. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results: Sensory processing issues affected occupational engagement and strategies to control inputs were intuitively used to cope with sensory challenges. Informants either ignored, reduced or avoided sensory inputs. Informants also enabled daily life through strategies such as creating a home that provides rest, finding a safe place, using nature and animals for relaxing and using effects of calming and alerting occupations. Discussion: Specific sensory inputs were difficult to process, which was experienced as stressful and affected occupations negatively. The results imply a need for further research exploring the management of sensory input and the use of sensory modulation approaches to enable engagement in daily activities.</p>}},
  author       = {{Andersson, Helene and Sutton, Daniel and Bejerholm, Ulrika and Argentzell, Elisabeth}},
  issn         = {{1103-8128}},
  keywords     = {{occupation; recovery; sensory modulation; sensory processing; Serious mental illness}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6}},
  pages        = {{446--456}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy}},
  title        = {{Experiences of sensory input in daily occupations for people with serious mental illness}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2020.1778784}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/11038128.2020.1778784}},
  volume       = {{28}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}