Key principles to support occupational engagement in mental health inpatient units

Article

Levick, Jessica, Broome, Kieran, Oprescu, Florin and Gray, Marion. 2025. "Key principles to support occupational engagement in mental health inpatient units." Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy. 38 (1), pp. 67-74. https://doi.org/10.1177/15691861251328585
Article Title

Key principles to support occupational engagement in mental health inpatient units

ERA Journal ID212706
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsLevick, Jessica, Broome, Kieran, Oprescu, Florin and Gray, Marion
Journal TitleHong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy
Journal Citation38 (1), pp. 67-74
Number of Pages8
Year2025
PublisherSAGE Publications Ltd
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN1569-1861
1876-4398
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/15691861251328585
Web Address (URL)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15691861251328585
Abstract

Introduction
Leisure activity is known to be health promoting and health creating. In mental health inpatient settings, leisure is a common activity that consumers can participate in regardless of their acuity. Leisure can be a powerful therapeutic modality harnessed by the entire multidisciplinary team.
Methods
The Levick’s Leisure Practice Principles were developed based on the findings of Levick et al., (2022) and piloted with inpatient health staff. This included of seven nurses, one occupational therapist, two psychologists, and two psychiatrists (registrar and consultant).
Results
Key evidence informed principles were developed to support occupational engagement in mental health inpatient units in Australia. Ten principles were created to support organisations to improve the quality of their inpatient settings by improving occupational opportunity.
Findings
Currently no leisure principles exist for consumers to participate in mental health settings. The principles incorporate public health theory of salutogenesis and occupational therapy theory to generate evidence informed practice to promote recovery.

KeywordsLeisure; occupational therapy; mental health
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420313. Mental health services
420104. Occupational therapy
Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Southern Queensland
Good to Better, Australia
University of the Sunshine Coast
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