The effect of occupational therapy on occupational competence of women suffering domestic violence

This study was planned to investigate the effect of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)-based occupational therapy intervention on women suffering domestic violence and staying in the shelters. In the research design, a mixed method, in which quantitative and qualitative analysis methods were applied together, was used. After assessments with 13 women in two shelters, ten intervention areas (money management, job seeking and maintenance skills, stress management, social skills-assertiveness, parenting, transportation, information access skills, safety planning, cognitive skills and pain management) were identified. Individual-group trainings were carried out during 4 weeks (16 sessions) and environmental interventions were applied. The assessments were performed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3th month follow-up period. Statistically significant differences were found in the areas of occupational participation and occupational competence after occupational therapy intervention (p <0.01). Significant increases were detected in volution and habituation scores as a part of personal factors affecting participation (p <0.05). There was a significant change in cognitive skills, communication-interaction skills, process skills and environmental domain scores (p <0.01). Decreasing in depressive symptoms (p <0.05) and traumatic stress symptoms (p <0.01) were determined. There was no statistically significant difference in the level of motor skills and value scores (p> 0.05). All participants indicated that they benefited from occupational therapy interventions and used mainly money management, stress management and job seeking skills. The results showed that improvement in planning and problem-solving skills and in participants' awareness according to the importance of education. In the light of these informations, MOHO-based occupational therapy interventions that were carried out at the shelters contribute to the independent living and empowerment of women who suffer domestic violence.