Improving Personal Characterization of Meaningful Activity in Adults with Chronic Conditions Living in a Low-Income Housing Community

Carrie A. Ciro and Patsy Smith
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Carrie A. Ciro: Occupational Therapy Program, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma, 1200 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
Patsy Smith: College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma, 1100 N Stonewall Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Purpose: To understand how adults living in a low-income, public housing community characterize meaningful activity (activity that gives life purpose) and if through short-term intervention, could overcome identified individual and environmental barriers to activity engagement. Methods: We used a mixed methods design where Phase 1 (qualitative) informed the development of Phase 2 (quantitative). Focus groups were conducted with residents of two low-income, public housing communities to understand their characterization of meaningful activity and health. From these results, we developed a theory-based group intervention for overcoming barriers to engagement in meaningful activity. Finally, we examined change in self-report scores from the Meaningful Activity Participation Assessment (MAPA) and the Engagement in Meaningful Activity Survey (EMAS). Results: Health literacy appeared to impact understanding of the questions in Phase 1. Activity availability, transportation, income and functional limitations were reported as barriers to meaningful activity. Phase 2 within group analysis revealed a significant difference in MAPA pre-post scores ( p =0.007), but not EMAS ( p =0.33). Discussion: Health literacy should be assessed and addressed in this population prior to intervention. After a group intervention, participants had a change in characterization of what is considered healthy, meaningful activity but reported fewer changes to how their activities aligned with their values.

Keywords: meaningful activity; occupational therapy; public housing; mixed-methods; (feasibility) study; behavior change intervention; ageing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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