How spirituality is understood in occupational therapy: A qualitative study.
Heather So, Lynette Mackenzie, Chris Chapparo and 2 others
PMID 40079324WHAT IT FOUND
Australian occupational therapists found defining spirituality difficult and avoided it due to fear of awkwardness or causing offence.
They reported needing culturally tailored training and supportive workplaces with dedicated time to address it, rather than relying on individual clinical confidence.
Key findings
01Participants described spirituality as a person-centred connection to self, others, and a spiritual reality, often expressed through meaningful occupations like nature or prayer.
02Human barriers included personal discomfort with spirituality and fear of opening difficult conversations, while facilitators were personal experience with hardship and increased clinical confidence.
03Environmental barriers included a cultural taboo on discussing religion and lack of time or funding, while facilitators were supportive workplaces and access to culturally appropriate training.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (23 participants) and self-selected, which may reflect response bias from therapists already interested in spirituality. Participants were predominantly from the east coast of Australia, limiting the generalisability to other regions. There was a lack of representation from minority religious or spiritual groups, so the findings may not reflect the views of these communities. The study explored culture and religion only in relation to spirituality, not as separate concepts, which may have limited the depth of understanding regarding those specific areas.
Declared interests
The authors declared no relevant financial or non-financial interests or conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that therapists' avoidance of spirituality indicates a belief that it is irrelevant to care. The study found that therapists valued spirituality but were constrained by workplace culture, lack of time, and personal discomfort with the topic.