Daily occupations - performance, satisfaction and time use, and relations with well-being in women with limited systemic sclerosis

• Published in: Disability and rehabilitation 2008, Vol.30 (1), p.27-35
• Main Authors: Sandqvist, Gunnel, Eklund, Mona
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Activity level; Adult; Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap; Daily occupations; Disabled people; Employment - statistics & numerical data; Female; Health Status; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Medical and Health Sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Occupations; Other Medical Sciences; Other Medical Sciences not elsewhere specified; Personal Satisfaction; Scleroderma, Systemic - diagnosis; Scleroderma, Systemic - rehabilitation; systemic sclerosis; Time; time use; well-being; Wellbeing; Women; Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap
• ISSN: 0963-8288; 1464-5165
• DOI: 10.1080/09638280701190083

Purpose. To describe activity level, operationalized as ADL capacity and performance of occupations, and occupational balance, operationalized as time use and satisfaction with occupations, in women with limited systemic sclerosis, and to investigate the relationship between these occupational factors and disease characteristics, demographic variables and well-being. Method. Forty-four women of working age and with long-standing limited systemic sclerosis were assessed regarding occupational factors, clinical variables, sociodemographic characteristics and well-being. Results. The women exhibited a generally high activity level and were satisfied with their daily occupations. More time spent working was related to spending less time on household chores, greater satisfaction with occupations in general and greater well-being. Symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and pain, influenced ADL capacity and satisfaction with occupations negatively. Conclusions. Work seems to be an important factor for satisfaction with occupations and well-being. This emphasizes the importance of investigating risk factors for work disability in people with systemic sclerosis, and of developing strategies for people with a work disability to enable them to maintain routines and a structured day. The findings also demonstrate the importance of reinforcing performance in satisfying occupations in order to maintain a feeling of well-being.