Veterans face significant occupational and mental health challenges. This article explores whether an occupational therapy program in combination with SCUBA diving can enhance occupational performance and mental health outcomes for veterans more than SCUBA diving alone. A two-group random assignment pretest–posttest design was implemented to compare outcomes across two groups. Veterans in Group 1 (n = 7) completed SCUBA diving while those in Group 2 (n = 8) completed SCUBA diving in combination with occupational therapy. Outcomes were measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Both groups participated in a semi-structured focus group post-participation. Additionally, those in Group 2 engaged in follow-up phone interviews. Trial registration number: NCT03928392. All participants significantly improved their occupational performance and satisfaction with performance, and reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression and stress. Those in Group 2 also experienced significant reductions in anxiety levels and reported applying learned interventions to daily life. Participating in SCUBA diving may contribute to reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression and stress among veterans. Engaging in occupational therapy may additionally contribute to reduced symptoms of anxiety and aid in therapeutic application of interventions to daily life.

This study's purpose was to describe the occupational needs and goals of women residing in a domestic violence shelter and their self-perceived changes in satisfaction and occupational performance. Using a retrospective design, data from 68 occupational therapy evaluations from two domestic violence shelter settings were examined. Data were analyzed by coding problem areas and occupational goals and calculating frequencies for these variables. Where data were available, we also analyzed changes in pre- and postscores for self-perceived satisfaction and occupational performance (n = 25). The most common problem areas were leisure, education, work, child rearing, and health management. The most common goals were in the areas of education, work, health management, child rearing, and home management. Retrospective pre- and postchange scores in performance and satisfaction for 25 women were statistically significant. Findings provide direction for, and highlight the importance of occupational therapy services within domestic violence shelters as women regain their life skills.

OBJECTIVE. In this study, we explored the impact of an occupational therapy wellness program on daily habits and routines through the perspectives of youth and their parents. METHOD. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with children and their parents, the Pizzi Healthy Weight Management Assessment^©, and program activities. RESULTS. Three themes emerged from the interviews: Program Impact, Lessons Learned, and Time as a Barrier to Health. The most common areas that both youth and parents wanted to change were time spent watching television and play, fun, and leisure time. Analysis of activity pie charts indicated that the youth considerably increased active time in their daily routines from Week 1 to Week 6 of the program. CONCLUSION. An occupational therapy program focused on health and wellness may help youth and their parents be more mindful of their daily activities and make health behavior changes.

Historically, society has labeled social communication differences in autistic individuals as disordered by comparing them to the social communication behaviors of the predominant non-autistic population. This study explores how autistic young adults view their social communication experiences and how their differences impact them when navigating social situations in predominantly non-autistic environments. This qualitative study utilized purposive sampling to recruit 15 autistic adults aged 18–28 in the United States. All participants were conversation-level speaking communicators and high school graduates. Each participant engaged in an individual semi-structured, conversational interview with the first author via Zoom video conferences between November 2019 and June 2020. The data analysis identified inductive themes through interpretive phenomenological analysis. Five major themes emerged from the data that captured the challenges of autistic adults: (a) “Communication definitely is a struggle at times”, (b) “if it’s a very comfortable situation, then it’s fine”, (c) my communication style has “been very misunderstood”, (d) “I have to learn people”, and (e) “we’re all human. Autistic too, we’re still human”. The participants’ experiences suggest that differences in their communication style and social behavior resulted in overwhelming feelings of uncertainty and marginalization as they put great effort into engaging with non-autistic individuals.

This study explored the role of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in school-based practice addressing mental health (MH) needs of all students. A sequential explanatory mixed method design which included two stages. Stage One: 61 OTPs in Southern California completed an online survey. Stage Two: 15 OTPs engaged in either an interview or a focus group. The survey data revealed that OTPs spent less time addressing MH issues than their caseload seemed to require. Autism spectrum disorder and anxiety disorder were addressed more frequently in comparison to grieving, thought disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and self-harm. Respondents were more likely to address MH issues using individual intervention and prevention strategies rather than a promotional approach. The majority of respondents were unfamiliar with the American Occupational Therapy Association School MH Tool Kit. Four themes emerged from qualitative data: Process of receiving support and services, OTPs perceived scope of practice in school-based settings, Approaches to address MH, and Barriers to address MH needs in school-based practice. Currently OTPs in Southern California face a number of challenges in addressing MH problems among children in school-based settings.