KAWA Flashcards
Who conceptualized Kawa Model
Michael L. Iwama
Kawa Model uses the metaphor of a ______ to represent life flow. It refocuses
occupational therapy into facilitating life flow rather than increasing an individual’s self –
efficacy.
River
The _____________ is useful in highlighting how the Kawa Model is employed to
understand a person’s life flow and the role that occupational therapy might have in
facilitating this.
River metaphor
Facilitate life flow in the context of a harmonious balance with all aspects
of the river which is used to describe a person’s life history.
OT
The river is composed of various elements, such as
- Mizu (Water)
- Kawa no soku – heki (River Side – Wall) and Kawa no zoko (River Bottom)
- Iwa (Rocks)
- Ryuboku (Driftwood)
- Sukima (Space)
Represents the individual’s life energy/life flow.
Mizu (Water)
This element envelops, defines and affects these other
elements of the river in a similar way to which the
same elements affect its volume, shape and flow rate.
Mizu (Water)
Pertains to the clients’ environment.
Kawa no soku – heki
(River Side – Wall) and
Kawa no zoko (River
Bottom)
Most important determinant of a person’s life flow.
Kawa no soku – heki
(River Side – Wall) and
Kawa no zoko (River
Bottom)
Subject’s physical and social contexts – those who
share a direct relationship with the individual.
Kawa no soku – heki
(River Side – Wall) and
Kawa no zoko (River
Bottom)
Represent family member, pets, workmates, friends in
a recreational club, deceased family members/friends.
Kawa no soku – heki
(River Side – Wall) and
Kawa no zoko (River
Bottom)
Discrete circumstances that are considered to be
impediments to one’s life flow.
Iwa (Rocks)
Life circumstances perceived by the client to be
problematic and difficult to remove.
Iwa (Rocks)
Subject’s personal attributes and resources such as
values, character, personality, special skill, immaterial
and material assets and living situation that can
positively or negatively affect the subject’s
circumstance or life flow.
Ryuboku (Driftwood)
Points through which the client’s life energy evidently
flows.
Sukima (Space)
Factors that sustain the client’s hope of seeing a new
day.
Sukima (Space)
Are potentials channels for the client’s flow, allowing
client and therapist to determine multiple points and
level of intervention.
Sukima (Space)
What are the three concepts fundamental
Centrality of the Individual
Occupational Beings
Reconceptualizing Occupation
Individual self is the focal point (person – centered).
Western View
Each individual is one of many different elements that combine a
mutually influencing way to constitute life.
Eastern View
humans obtain mastery over the environment by
acting upon it.
existential perspective
personal agency does not logically lead to enhanced
health and well – being through mastery over the environment.
collectivist perspective
Steps in APPLICATION TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
- Who is the client?
- Clarify the context
- Prioritize Issues According to Client’s Perspectives
- Assessing Focal Points of Occupational Therapy Intervention
- Intervention
- Evaluation
