Abstract
Occupational balance is the ability to look after oneself, contribute to society, be economically active, enjoy life, have fun, and maintain health and wellbeing (Horne et al., 2005). Occupational disruption is when a person’s normal pattern of occupational performance is disrupted due to a significant life event, e.g., the birth of a child (Horne et al., 2005). This state should be temporary and with support can be resolved. Role overload is when a client takes on multiple roles simultaneously and lacks the resources needed, e.g., time and psychological demands. Postpartum and pregnant working women have been shown to experience occupational overload/role overload and occupational imbalance (Losoncz & Bortolotto, 2009). This can occur due to a variety of factors including emotional stressors, physical pain, fatigue, sleep deprivation, routine and habit changes, activity restrictions, and an altered center of gravity (Losoncz & Bortolotto, 2009). About 23.5 million employed mothers have children under the age of 18 and nearly two-thirds work full-time, year-round jobs (Christnacht & Sullivan, 2020). The combination of work, household, and childcare responsibilities can completely encompass a mother’s time. This can cause maternal stress, maternal physical health issues, babies' health issues, and more (Bar & Jarus, 2015). Occupational therapy can ease the strain associated with occupational overload and occupational imbalance by educating working mothers about occupational balance techniques (Horne et al., 2005). These techniques have been shown to help working mothers manage routines, sleep, stress, and energy (Bar & Jarus, 2015).
Capstone Project Purpose & Research Question:
Purpose: To teach working mothers at Boston NAPS occupational balance techniques focused on stress management, energy conservation, sleep hygiene, and routine management; and evaluation how effective these techniques were.
Question: Do occupational balance workshops increase knowledge of occupational balance techniques in pregnant and postpartum working mothers at Boston NAPS?
Graduation Date
2022
Document Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Shah, Ashika OTS; O’Day, Jamie BSN, RN, IBCLC; Swanberg, Jennifer MMHS, OTR/L; and Martin, Sujata MS, OTR/L, "Transition to Motherhood: Creating Balance in Prenatal and Postnatal Working Mothers" (2022). Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstones. 1.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/otd_capstone/1
