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Research Article  |   September 2003
Daily Time Use as a Measure of Community Adjustment for Persons Served By Assertive Community Treatment Teams
Terry Krupa; Heather McLean; Shirley Eastabrook; Alison Bonham; LeeAnn Baksh
Author Affiliations
  • Terry Krupa, PhD, OT Reg (Ont), is Associate Professor and Chair, Occupational Therapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; krupat@post.queensu.ca
  • Heather McLean, MSc (Rehab), is Policy Analyst, Department of Justice, Government of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. At the time of this study Ms. McLean was Graduate Student at the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • Shirley Eastabrook, PhD, RN, is Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • Alison Bonham, BSc(OT), OT Reg (Ont), is Occupational Therapist, Lennox and Addington Community Mental Health Program, Napanee, Ontario, Canada. At the time of the study Ms. Bonham was Occupational Therapist, Assertive Community Care Team, Frontenac Community Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • LeeAnn Baksh, BSc(OT), was Occupational Therapist, Assertive Community Care Team, Frontenac Community Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, at the time of the study
Article Information
Health and Wellness / Mental Health / Daily Time Use and Community Adjustment
Research Article   |   September 2003
Daily Time Use as a Measure of Community Adjustment for Persons Served By Assertive Community Treatment Teams
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2003, Vol. 57, 558-565. doi:10.5014/ajot.57.5.558
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2003, Vol. 57, 558-565. doi:10.5014/ajot.57.5.558
Abstract

PURPOSE. The purpose of the study was to examine daily time use of clients of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) as a measure of their community adjustment and well-being. The actual daily time use of ACT clients in the four categories of personal care, productivity, leisure, and sleep were compared to the data for Canadian population norms.

METHOD. Daily time use data were collected from 27 adult clients from two Assertive Community Treatment Teams in southeastern Ontario using recall time diaries of two weekdays. The data were coded using the Statistics Canada (1999) coding scheme. Descriptive statistics were used to determine time in the major categories of time use and z scores were used to compare the study sample to the adult Canadian population. The percentages of time spent in specific subcategories of activity were also compared.

RESULTS. The results indicated an imbalance in occupation with time use dominated by leisure and sleep activities. Study participants spent significantly more time in passive leisure compared to active leisure and socialization.

CONCLUSION. The activity patterns of ACT clients were not consistent with those associated with community adjustment, health, and well-being. Occupational therapists working in ACT are in a good position to contribute to the literature regarding occupational performance and mental illness and to lead ACT teams in discussions and practices that may promote health through activity.