Occupational well-being and resilient ageing in older women with mental illness

Abstract

Background. Canada has an ageing population. The importance of identifying innovative and effective ways to promote and maintain health in older adults is of upmost concern, including utilizing an individual’s strengths and resilience through the lifespan. One of occupational therapy’s core assumptions is that meaningful engagement in valued occupations influences well-being. Purpose. This thesis aims to identify the relationship between occupational well-being and resilient ageing in older women with mental illness. Methods. Using a narrative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 women who demonstrated traits of resilience in order to hear and learn from their stories of resilience, meaningful occupation and well-being. Findings. Five themes emerged from the data. These themes are doing and connecting, learning from adversity, self growth, personality traits and spirituality. Implications. Occupational therapists are well posed to promote resilient ageing through occupational well-being, however further research is recommended to further explore this relationship.