DAILY LIFE ACTIVITIES OF PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDER: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVITY INITIATION PROCESS

Background: Patients with depressive disorder show reduced functioning of daily life activities. Further, active behaviors may lead to (1) less depression, (2) a greater delay of relapse and (3) a faster recovery in depressed... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Patients with depressive disorder show reduced functioning of daily life activities. Further, active behaviors may lead to (1) less depression, (2) a greater delay of relapse and (3) a faster recovery in depressed patients.
The goal of this study is to investigate the experiences of the activity initiation process of patients with a depressive disorder.
Method:
Five hospitalized patients with depression were included using a purpose sampling strategy. They were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, which were verbatim transcribed . Data collection and data analysis were performed within Grounded Theory tradition, using a Constant Comparative Method.
Results:
The results showed that depressed patients often experienced difficulties in initiating activities and needed to re-balance their lives in order to be able to initiate activities. Four important themes, which may simultaneously facilitate or inhibit activities, were identified : (1) balance, (2) social context, (3) interpersonal relationships and (4) personal identity.
Important activity initiators were finding a balance, a safe social context with supporting relationships, receiving recognition and satisfaction.
Conclusions
The results of this study increase our understanding in the processes/factors which are important to help to initiate activity in depressed patients. They may guide future occupational interventions.

Application to Practice:
These results may support the occupational therapist to develop an optimal occupational treatment program for depressed patients.