A Need for Occupational Justice: The Impact of Racial Microaggression on Occupations, Wellness, and Health Promotion

“Ism,” in general terms describes a practice that denotes oppression of a group based on the characteristics of its members: racism, sexism, and ageism, are the three types most commonly identified. “Isms” often impose limits on people, and while we have been aware of those limits at the macro level, we have been less aware of acts that happen at the level of the individual, the micro level. These acts, which are frequently heard and seen in the media, have personal, occupational, and health implications for those affected by them. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness about the issue of racial microaggression and, from occupational therapy and occupational science perspectives, explore how it impacts engagement in valued occupations, wellness, and health. This paper aims to encourage scientific discourse among practitioners, students, and educators so that we can truly be client-centered and culturally effective advocates for inclusion and participation in life

College Students and Their Social Media Use

Background: Social media is heavily used by college students. Social media allows students to stay in contact with friends and find information. Social media can be distracting, thus negatively impacting students’ mental health. The purpose of this study was to explore if social media has a negative effect on the college students’ GPA based on educational level. Method: This was a nonexperimental cross sectional research study. Data was collected through a survey focused on students’ experience with social media platforms and GPA. The variables of interest were examined using frequencies and chi-square analysis. Results: College students used social media. The use of TikTok and Snapchat influenced GPA. Snapchat had positive influence and TikTok had negative influences regardless of grade level There was a difference based on grade level and use of social media. More underclassmen report not using Facebook when compared with upperclassmen. Discussion: Through this research it was revealed that students\u27 usage of social media did have a statistically significant impact on their GPA. Snapchat had a positive influence and TikTok had a negative influence on the students GPA regardless of grade level. Given these findings, it is important to find different types of interventions to help these students. For example, students can turn on the downtime feature on their phones to limit screen time for certain apps. This allows students to be more aware about the time spent on social media and helps cut back usage to focus on schoolwork

Stakeholder’s Perceptions of Needs, Abilities, & Quality of Life of Individuals with Severe & Persistent Mental Illness

Introduction: Approximately 1 in 5 adults (44.7 million individuals) were living with any kind of mental illness in the United States in 2016 (SAMHSA, 2016), but only 19.2 million of those individuals received mental health treatment during that period. Of those, 10.4 million adults (4.2 % of the general adult population), were estimated to have a serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), but only 6.7 million of those individuals (64%) received mental health treatment in that same year (SAMHSA, 2016). In Florida, the prevalence of mental illness is estimated to be 660,000 (H.R. 8029, 2018). Yet, in terms of services for individuals with mental illness, and compared to other states, Florida’s ranking slid from 49th to 50th place in the past two years with a per capita expenditure of $39.55. SPMI affects individuals’ ability to function and to participate in valued roles and occupations, but recovery is attainable with appropriate interventions and services. This study aimed to understand factors that facilitate and those that hinder the recovery process through the perceptions of individuals with SMPI and of staff members providing services to them. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of qualitative data collected through individual and focus group interviews by two research teams between 2016 and 2017. A clubhouse model drop-in center and residential facilities of a mental health center in central Florida provided the sampling frame. Sample size: There were 44 participants in the final sample (31 clients, 13 staff). Results: Results reflected findings from the literature, indicating the personal nature of recovery, the importance of occupation (doing), identity (being), and kinship (belonging) in recovery, and how these have been impacted by cuts in funding and resources