Occupational Balance Among Young Adults Living In Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: Occupational balance is still an abstracted and evolving concept in the notion of Occupational Therapy. Occupational balance can be perceived from various perspectives and comprehended in a variety of ways. Occupational balance and the ways in which it can influence health, well-being, and life satisfaction. People tend to hold a very personalised view of occupational balance. Culture and environment can play a huge role in how people experience occupational understanding of the concept of occupational balance. Most of the studies about how people experience done in western countries. Therefore, this study aims to explore how young adults in Saudi Arabia experience occupational balance. Methods: The study used qualitative methodology with a phenomenological approach, with the primary data being occupational balance experience. Purposive sampling was used to select participants, and five semi-structured one to one interview with Saudi residents were conducted. The interview was audio-recorded and verbatim transcribed. A thematic analysis framework was applied to the raw data as an analysis guide and to identify themes for this study. Results: Data collected in this study revealed five themes relating to the experiences of the participants in relation to occupational balance. Several participants emphasized the importance of certain daily occupations that are meaningful to them and that contribute to their everyday lives. Additionally, they mentioned some occupations whose significance is derived from their religious and cultural backgrounds. Participation in these occupations made it possible for the participants to maintain a sense of balance and meaning in their lives. Furthermore, they understand the significance of having a variety of occupations and harmony between these occupations in order to achieve good occupational balance. Finally, cultural norms and metrological factors were described as obstacles to achieving this balance. Conclusion: Occupational therapists working in Saudi Arabia could utilize the occupations mentioned by study participants as meaningful to their daily lives and consider their clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds to build up their daily routines when they are struggling with low quality of life due to occupational imbalance. In addition, occupational therapists can collaborate with other specialities such as vocational counsellors to ensure that their clients get the most out of these occupations and achieve better occupational balance.