So Heather, Mackenzie Lynette, Chapparo Chris, Ranka Judy, McColl Mary Ann
Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Aust Occup Ther J. 2025 Apr;72(2):e70006. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.70006.
Since the inception of occupational therapy, spirituality has been a unique component of practice. However, much of the professional discourse on how to define spirituality has originated internationally. This study aimed to explore how Australian occupational therapists interpret and understand spirituality in their practice.
This study employed an interpretive phenomenological methodology and reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty-three individual interviews were conducted with Australian occupational therapists across various work and specialty contexts.
Because the participants in this study were occupational therapists, the research design did not include input from consumers or the community.
Three main themes emerged from this study: (i) definitions of spirituality were complex and often described a person's connection to meaning and purpose in life; (ii) human factors that supported addressing spirituality included therapist self-reflection and clinical experience, while therapist discomfort and specific client circumstances acted as barriers; and (iii) environmental factors that supported addressing spirituality included access to training and a supportive workplace, while barriers included cultural taboos, as well as time and funding limitations.
All occupational therapist participants acknowledged spirituality as the meaningful connection between one's inner self and the outer world, and for most participants, this included acknowledging the transcendent. Therapist skills that facilitated the integration of spirituality into practice included self-reflection and building rapport with clients, which therapists could control. However, factors like years of clinical experience were beyond their control. In terms of environmental factors, therapists could influence their access to spirituality training, but aspects like a supportive work environment were often outside their influence. Additionally, many therapists reported feeling uncomfortable discussing spirituality within what they considered to be a culturally closed local context. To help overcome these challenges, the occupational therapy profession could benefit from developing culturally sensitive spirituality resources, research, and training.
Spirituality has always been a part of occupational therapy, but much of the talking about it comes from other countries. This study looked at how Australian occupational therapists see spirituality. We interviewed 23 occupational therapists from all different jobs. They all agreed that spirituality is about connecting a person's inner self with the world. While therapists could control things like self-reflection and building relationships with clients, their years of clinical experience was outside their control. Likewise, they may be able to look for further education, but a supportive work environment was often out of their hands. Many therapists also felt uncomfortable discussing spirituality in workplaces where it was not openly accepted. To face these challenges, the profession may need more resources, research, and training on spirituality in practice.
自职业治疗诞生以来，灵性一直是其实践的独特组成部分。然而，关于如何定义灵性的许多专业论述都起源于国际。本研究旨在探讨澳大利亚职业治疗师在其实践中如何解释和理解灵性。
本研究采用解释现象学方法和反思性主题分析。对来自不同工作和专业背景的澳大利亚职业治疗师进行了23次个人访谈。
由于本研究的参与者是职业治疗师，研究设计未纳入消费者或社区的意见。
本研究出现了三个主要主题：（i）灵性的定义很复杂，通常描述了一个人与生活意义和目的的联系；（ii）支持探讨灵性的人为因素包括治疗师的自我反思和临床经验，而治疗师的不适感和特定的客户情况则构成障碍；（iii）支持探讨灵性的环境因素包括获得培训和支持性的工作场所，而障碍包括文化禁忌以及时间和资金限制。
所有参与研究的职业治疗师都承认灵性是一个人内心自我与外部世界之间有意义的联系，对大多数参与者来说，这包括承认超验性。促进将灵性融入实践的治疗师技能包括自我反思和与客户建立融洽关系，这些是治疗师可以控制的。然而，诸如多年临床经验等因素则超出了他们的控制范围。在环境因素方面，治疗师可以影响他们获得灵性培训的机会，但诸如支持性工作环境等方面往往不在他们的影响范围内。此外，许多治疗师报告说，在他们认为文化封闭的当地环境中讨论灵性会感到不舒服。为了帮助克服这些挑战，职业治疗行业可以从开发具有文化敏感性的灵性资源、研究和培训中受益。
灵性一直是职业治疗的一部分，但很多相关讨论来自其他国家。本研究考察了澳大利亚职业治疗师如何看待灵性。我们采访了23名来自各种不同工作的职业治疗师。他们都认为灵性是关于将一个人的内心自我与世界联系起来。虽然治疗师可以控制自我反思和与客户建立关系等事情，但他们的临床经验年限却不受控制。同样，他们可能能够寻求进一步的教育，但支持性的工作环境往往不在他们掌控之中。许多治疗师在不公开接受灵性讨论的工作场所中谈论灵性时也会感到不舒服。为了应对这些挑战，该行业在实践中可能需要更多关于灵性的资源、研究和培训。
