The Development of an Occupation-Focused Self-Management Programme for Students in Higher

Background: Research has shown that students experiencing mental health difficulties report greater difficulty engaging in their student role, which can lead to lower rates of retention in college (Mowbray et al., 2005) and... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Research has shown that students experiencing mental health difficulties report greater difficulty engaging in their student role, which can lead to lower rates of retention in college (Mowbray et al., 2005) and ultimately lower rates of progression into the workplace (Mechanic et al 2002, National Disability Authority 2015). The increased expectation to take responsibility for managing one’s self and one’s health and well-being is central to the role of a student within higher education. This paper outlines the development of an occupation-focused self-management programme, used within a college-based Occupational Therapy service, aiming to support students in this personal development of practical self-management skills.

Method:
A two-pronged approach was taken to the research involving two separate strands; firstly, a strand related to students’ experiences of engaging in the programme using a mixed methods approach; and secondly a staff strand used to gather Occupational Therapists’ perspectives of the programme using qualitative methods.

Results:
This paper will include preliminary findings from my doctoral research, based upon thematic analysis of interviews with students and staff who have used the programme.

Conclusion:
This research proposes the value of a student specific self-management approach, based upon collaboration between student and OT, to facilitate learning through engagement in the broad variety of opportunities within the student role.

Application to Practice:
OTs, through the use of occupation-focused approaches (Fisher, 2013), should start to view higher education as an opportunity for students to learn and for recovery; and certainly an opportunity for occupational therapy to greatly contribute.