Temporal Dimensions of Occupation

Question 1

Learning Objectives?

Answer 1

• Consider how the concept of time relates to occupations
• Recognise that people have different perspectives of time based on experiences, context, culture, etc.
• Understand time as a contextual factor which provides structure and habits
• Reflect on time use in relation to mining of occupations

Question 2

Time and Body (Seymour, 2002)

Answer 2

• Time is the medium in which through we live our life
• As healthcare professionals we recognize that life and time is urgent, example: we have limited time to address acute illness
• Time is a framework for illness, have to plan (look at different types outlined below)
• In a lot of ways we are controlled by time

Question 3

Immortalized in time?

Answer 3

Body becomes a perpetual memorial. Example, thinking back to the spilt second in time when the spinal cord was severed, like diving into shallow water or taking a sharp turn. The body becomes a constant reminder.

Question 4

Ruptured time?

Answer 4

Sudden disruption in life circumstances. For example, breaking one’s leg can no longer drive, play sports, and daily activities needs to be adjusted.

Question 5

Reclaimed time?

Answer 5

An opportunity to remake. People can remake themselves or “reclaim” the time that has passed. The body plays an important role in reconstitution.

For example, realizing how valuable time is after a near-death experience and reclaiming time by making the most out of it.

Question 6

Consumed time?

Answer 6

Clock time, units of time -> quantifiable measures. It is not an expendable commodity. Regulate time and schedule the units of time appropriately, for example I use my calendar to do this.

Question 7

Disciplined time?

Answer 7

Need to attend to continence and have discipline. Such as dedicating time to managing bodily fluids.

Question 8

Ingested time?

Answer 8

Food and drink modifications. The time for food and drinks also needs to be disciplined and scheduled. Limits spontaneity.

Question 9

Retirement (Jonsson et al, 2000)? overall themes?

Answer 9

• Looking at occupational transition.
• Occupational imbalance between work and more structured occupations.
• New temporal structure
• Gaining into a slower rhythm of life
• Maintaining stability as primary hope for the future. Stay active to maintain health. “As long as everything stay as they are I’m happy”.

Question 10

From the article on Retirement (Jonsson et al, 2000)? What does Paradox of being master of your own life, refer to?

Answer 10

• Paradox of being master of your own life, many people who retire end up being unable to enjoy their ‘time of freedom’ since they miss the structure work gave their life.

Question 11

From the article on Retirement (Jonsson et al, 2000)? What did they discover about occupations changing meaning when retiring?

Answer 11

• Change in meaning, because certain occupations are not special without the structure of work life (Fridays, going to the country cottage)

Question 12

‘Time is a contextual factor for occupation’ means?

Answer 12

Time depends on context (such as culture or life transition), which in turn impacts the form, function and meaning of occupations.

Example, being stressed with school effect the form of relaxation (tiktok), function (relieve anxiety), and meaning. Not stressed with school tiktok just fun, take time for other forms of relaxation

Question 13

Time use and occupation for an occupational therapist?

Answer 13

• Questions about occupation can address how time is used
• Entails recording and reflecting upon what people do
• Can also address where occupations occurred (i.e. where time was occupied), why they were engaged in (i.e. for what purpose time was used), etc.
• Can address ‘timing’ of occupations according to type, role, project, meaning, etc.

Question 14

Planning and sequencing?

Answer 14

• Planning our day, week, month and year
• Doing things in a certain order
• What happens when circumstances limit your ability to control how and when you are able to carry out occupations?

Question 15

Time use studies?

Answer 15

• “Designed to capture the flow of activities inherent in occupation and the context in which they are carried out”
• Diary format
• Habits create the structure of life, ones captured, it can inform a lot about the person.
• Context changes the occupation, for example, 7h caring for your own children vs. 7h working as a caretaker
• Can capture objective and subjective details

Question 16

Time use patterns?
- Occupations can be habitual and form part of routines and lifestyle
- Kielhofner - Model of Human Occupation (2008, 4th ed.)

Two quotes & Lifestyle?

Answer 16

• “Habits preserve ways of doing things that we have internalized through repeated performance.”
• “Moreover, by engaging in certain routine behaviours we reaffirm ourselves as having a certain identity.”

Lifestyle: Larger patterns of time use that are influenced by societal and cultural forces

Question 17

Habituation?

Answer 17

“The term habituation refers ti this semiautonomous pattern of behaviour in concert with out familiar temporal physical and social habitats.” (Kielhofner, 2008)

Question 18

Model of habituation?

Answer 18

Temporal, physical, and social habits
- Taken for granted round of daily life
- Encountering others as we did before
- Do things as we did before
-> Habituation: semi-autmouns pattern of behaviour

Question 19

General Observations of people’s time useage?

Answer 19

• Most time spent sleeping, followed by paid work, and watching television
• No major variation between countries with regard to time spent on necessary, contracted, committed, and free occupations
• Gender differences if time use
• Time use shifts over the life course = more differences across sub-populations within countries than between countries

Question 20

Deviations in social norms?

Answer 20

• Occupational deprivation
• Occupational opportunities

Influenced by Equity/ Social justice

Question 21

Why is time use of interest to occupational scientists and occupational therapists?

Answer 21

• Client-centred “what is meaningful to them”
• Demographic research, what occupations tends to dominate certain groups

Question 22

What might influence one’s perspectives of time?

Answer 22

• Occupational transitions ‘gliding into a slower rhythm of time’ one activity can take the whole day.

Question 23

Why do you think we form structure and habits as we age?

Answer 23

• Innate desire to do things or cultural pressure of being productive.

Question 24

Do you consider time a social construct? Why or why not?

Answer 24

• Yes! Not all cultures are seen are linear. Tribe not saying hi or goodbye, but saying nice to see you again or see you.