La signification des activites quotidiennes chez les personnes souffrant de troubles mentaux graves

Severe mental disorders affect the daily activities and lifestyles of people suffering from these problems. A descriptive study was conducted in order to determine the meaning that people with severe mental disorders give to their daily activities. In this study, the meaning of the activities was defined based on Kielhofner's Human Occupation Model, using three indicators: sense of competence, importance and pleasure. These indicators were measured for each daily activity through a semi-structured interview of 45 people suffering from severe mental disorders, using the Occupational Questionnaire. In general, the activities included in the categories of hygiene and self-care, meals and sleep, scored the highest average for each indicator, i.e. sense of competence, importance and pleasure. Work, however, stands out in terms of the importance it is given as an activity, while social activities are valued through their association with pleasure. An analysis of the results underlines the importance that occupational therapists have an improved understanding of the meaning that people suffering from mental disorders give to their daily activities in order to support their efforts in developing a more positive perception of the way they occupy their time.