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ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The antecedents that contribute to health disparities in maternal child health populations begin before birth and extend into the early prenatal and gestational growth periods. Mothers and infants living in rural poverty in particular are at considerable risk for problems associated with reproductive health, including pregnancy complications and premature births. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this manuscript is thus two-fold, to describe the epidemiologic makeup of the community and the intervention model of the…Community Caring Collaborative. METHODS: Innovative models of early-integrated care for high-risk mothers and children are showing promise for long-term outcomes. They foster environments that enable mothers to trust health systems while maintaining a workforce of high functioning health workers who understand the mechanisms that underpin maternal and child health disparities. The Community Caring Collaborative in Washington County, Maine developed one such model that has made inroads in bridging such gaps. This manuscript explicates a case study of how the Community Caring Collaborative came into being and why it established the Bridging model of comprehensive care. The focus of this manuscript is thus two-fold, the community and the intervention model. RESULTS: The "bridging model" develops trust-based relationships between high-risk mothers with the health system and its multiple resources. Community members with advanced training provide the support and care linkages that are critical for family success. CONCLUSIONS: Innovative models of collaborative care impact the health of vulnerable mothers and their children working toward a marked decrease in health related disparities.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Employment represents the key to independence for women, and equal opportunity has been an elusive goal. For women with substance dependence, employment is strongly linked to the ability to sustain recovery. Unfortunately, for postpartum mothers with substance use disorders, gender-based barriers are magnified. A case analysis is provided to illustrate the interaction of multiple barriers to employment success in one postpartum woman's experience. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the complex factors involved…in return to employment for postpartum women being treated for substance use disorders. METHODS: A review of the current literature on employment, substance use, and the postpartum period was performed. Themes identified in the literature were applied to analyze a representative case. RESULTS: Postpartum women with substance use disorders face a variety of challenges to employment success. Lack of education and job skills are common barriers to successful employment of women in addiction recovery. These barriers may be complicated by emotional or logistical challenges, or related to external factors such as stigma and/or previous criminal history. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of employment history, marketable skills, and barriers should be an essential component of substance abuse treatment programs. Professionals working to increase employment opportunities for postpartum women with substance use disorders should be particularly aware of the multiple barriers they face and integrate employment assessment and skills training into the early stages of treatment programs.
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Keywords: Substance use disorder, postpartum, parenting, drug use
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increasing research suggests breastfeeding has many benfeits to mothers and children, yet breastfeeding duration rates remain well below Healthy People 2020 objectives. In order to increase breastfeeding rates, the complex role change in becoming a breastfeeding mother deserves closer examination. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study sought to explore the daily routines and supports experienced by primiparous breastfeeding mothers with the objective of using this information to design interventions to promote breastfeeding…duration. METHODS: Surveys were conducted at 2–3, 6–8, and 10–12 weeks postpartum. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven primiparous mothers. RESULTS: None of the eleven mothers interviewed at 2–3 week had a daily routine; 5 out of 9 mothers described a 'hint of a routine' at 6–8 weeks, and 6 out of 7 mothers described an 'emerging routine' at 10–12 weeks. Despite wanting more support and better preparation, most mothers succeeded with exclusive breastfeeding for the 12-week period. CONCLUSIONS: These findings were viewed through the lens of non-linear dynamics and transition theory. Implications for occupational therapy and occupational science were discussed.
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Keywords: Non-linear science, transition theory, Healthy People 2020
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The literature suggests that at least 25% of all children [18,19] and up to 80% of children with developmental disabilities [19] have some type of feeding and/or eating difficulty. Currently there is limited information in the literature related to mothers who are mothering young children with difficulties in the area of feeding and eating. Specifically there is little information available regarding how mothering a young child with difficulties in feeding and eating impacts participation in…the work of mothering. OBJECTIVE: This paper discusses a piece of the qualitative portion of a mixed methods study. The qualitative portion of the study sought to examine the lived experience of mothers who were mothering a young child with feeding concerns. PARTICIPANTS: Five women between the ages of 26 and 41 years of age agreed to participate in this portion of the study. All of the women were married and were mothering a child between 12 and 36 months experiencing concerns related to feeding. METHODS: Phenomenological methods were used to complete the qualitative portion of this study. Each woman participated in one interview in her own home that lasted between one and two hours. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the data analysis, feeling supported, seeking support, the range of emotions/feelings, dealing with the system, and the complexity of feeding. Two of the themes are discussed in this paper in detail as they relate to maternal work. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study were analyzed in relationship to maternal work. Findings highlight the difficulty of negotiating daily mealtime occupations and support the connection between mealtime occupations and maternal work as outlined by Ruddick [3].
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Abstract: PURPOSE: Mothering work has been studied by social and occupational scientists, as well as a few occupational therapists. However, there remains a lack of in depth qualitative analysis that provides a trajectory view of a mother's experience, particularly after traumatic events involving their children. This study sought to further understand a mothering experience from a mothering work lens following the near-drowning experience of a child in South Florida. METHOD: Antenarratology is a relatively new…approach for analyzing qualitative data. It provides a way to understand the complexities of phenomena over a period of time from a more contextual approach. This method was used to analyze a mother's blog post injury of her child. This report introduces the method and its application to one mother's experience using a case study format. RESULTS: Analysis of data using antenarratology methodology revealed a variety of disparate, inconsistent and common threads, which is acceptable in antenarratological explorations. This more appropriately mirrors the variations of life that a mother's work experiences in child care work entail, particularly post injury.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Social Cognition and Interaction Training-Autism (SCIT-A) is a social cognition curriculum for young adults with autism developed at the University of North Carolina. This study seeks to further the use of SCIT-A as a tool for family centered practice. OBJECTIVE. This study explored the value of a complementary parent/caretaker support group on occupational performance of young adult children participating in the SCIT-A program. An interprofessional SCIT-A program for young adults with high…functioning autism (HFA) was examined for its effect on transition. PARTICIPANTS: The program included five parents/caregivers and three young adult males with HFA. Final data collection was performed on three parents/caregivers and one young adult with HFA. METHODS: A mixed methods approach utilized two focus groups for caregivers and young adults. Quantitative results were obtained from the young adult. RESULTS: This paper describes themes among caregivers which included: (1) swapping family stories; (2) experiencing an epiphany; (3) place-making; and (4) transformation. Results for the young adult are also presented. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests a positive impact and possible future trajectories of research and programming of social cognition during transition to adult occupations. The importance of support and participation of caretakers to facilitate transition is elucidated.
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Keywords: Transition, social participation, autism, caretakers
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mothering is a major occupational role for many women however the research to date tends to focus on the transition to parenthood and mothering young children. Missing from the literature is an exploration of mothering beyond the early years of a child's life. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative research study uses grounded theory methods to explore the experience of mothering typically developing emerging adult children. METHODS: In-depth semi structured interviews and a focus group…were conducted with 14 women between the ages of 47–63 years old with at least one child who was between the ages of 18–29 years old (an emerging adult). All of the participants were living in the Midwestern United States. The goal of this study is to explore how mothering experience changes and evolves over time. RESULTS: Findings presented here focus on the work of mothering emerging adult children and the themes include providing a listening ear, emotional and financial support, and worrying. CONCLUSIONS: The findings illuminate a beginning understanding of the work involved with mothering children at this stage and add to Ruddick's theories on maternal practice.
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Keywords: Parenting, occupation, qualitative research, grounded theory, social construction
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The majority of American women juggle careers and the demands of mothering. The experiences of midlife mothers on the issues of work and motherhood are important to explore because birth rates for older women continue to rise in the United States and in other countries including the UK and Canada. OBJECTIVE: To present a unique viewpoint on work and mothering from the perspectives and experiences of older first-time mothers. METHODS: A…purposive sample of thirteen women aged 45–56 years old participated in two in-depth interviews. Findings emerged in the context of a larger hermeneutic phenomenological study that aimed to understand older first-time mothers' perceptions of health and mothering during the transition to menopause. RESULTS: A paradox emerged in which the realities of motherhood did not meet the women's expectations. They were surprised by the centrality of commitment they felt towards the child and voiced strong ideals about how to do mothering right that included making changes to work schedules to be more available to their children. CONCLUSION: Health care professionals should be aware of specific issues that exist for older first-time mothers including adjustments to work. This knowledge will inform the support, education and care provided for these women.
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Keywords: Hermeneutic, mothering, older mothers, phenomenology, qualitative research
Abstract: Employees who are members of the "sandwich generation", those who are raising children and assisting older adult family members, are a population at risk for issues related to physical and emotional health, balancing work and family responsibilities, and taking care of themselves. This commentary examines their situation and challenges, some of the potential negative effects of these compounded stressors, and recommends strategies that employers, families, and the individuals themselves can use to create a sustainable…work/caregiving situation.
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Keywords: Family caregiver, employee caregiver, eldercare
Abstract: The case is the personal perspective and reflection of a father and his daughter, each individually addressing five key aspects of the role of father, revealing a unique and fundamental family perspective.
Keywords: Fathering, influence of fathers, effects of parenting
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Intergenerational transmission of survivor syndrome places the health of family occupation of Chareidi second and third generation survivors of the Holocaust at risk. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience and capture the essence of family health from the perspective of this cultural group. METHODS: Guided by phenomenological research design, 5 participants were interviewed. They described their perception of the health of their families and…how experiences in Nazi death camps impacted their families' health. RESULTS: Family health is an experience of being together and doing together. Generational transmission of family health was disrupted by the Holocaust. Dysfunction exists in generations that were produced by the survivors. Daily effort is required to reverse the effects of the Holocaust and establish connections with subsequent generations. CONCLUSION: The essence of occupational therapy is described as "being before doing", which is the cornerstone of individual health and well-being; and in this case family health. This study investigates a cultural group who is experiencing intergenerational transmission of trauma that disrupts family health. Opportunities to examine family health in all settings and consider implications for interventions should be explored.
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Keywords: Family occupation, occupational therapy, phenomenology, survivor syndrome
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Grief following child loss is profoundly destabilizing with serious long-term repercussions for bereaved parents. Employed parents may need time away from work to deal with this loss. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to reflect upon the ways labour policies and practices respond to parental bereavement. METHODS: Critical discourse analysis was used to examine labour policies and practices related to employment leave for bereaved parents in Canada. Results were compared to international labour standards. RESULTS: Universally, employment policies provide only for the…practical issues of bereavement. Commonly, leave is three days, unpaid, and meant to enable ceremonial obligations. Policies do not acknowledge the long-term suffering caused by grief or the variable intensity of different kinds of loss. Managerial, moral, normative and neoliberal values embedded in these policies efface the intensely personal experience of grief, thereby leaving employees at risk for serious health and workplace safety issues. CONCLUSIONS: Bereavement leave currently understands grief as a generic, time-limited state with instrumental tasks and ceremonial obligations. In contrast, research characterizes responses to child loss as intense, highly personal experiences for which healing and recovery can take years. This disconnect is especially problematic when viewed through the lens of employee wellbeing, reintegration and workplace productivity.
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