Browsing by Author "Mahaffey, Lisa"

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    “Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy” (MERIT) for the Occupational Therapy Practitioner
    (Sage, 2022) Wasmuth, Sally; Horsford, Caitlin; Mahaffey, Lisa; Lysaker, Paul H.; Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences
    Background: Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) is a manualized, evidence-based approach that supports occupational participation through its focus on the inter-related constructs of meaning making, positionality, and self-definition (Lysaker et al., 2020). MERIT's core tenets parallel the fundamentals of occupational therapy, making it an ideal guiding methodology for mental health occupational therapy practice. Purpose: We outline key constructs of MERIT and detail how occupational therapy practitioners can apply MERIT to support occupational engagement. Key Issues: Few manualized, evidence-based interventions exist to guide occupational therapy mental health practice (Kirsch et al., 2019). Detailing MERIT and its application in occupational therapy is an important first step in future studies of its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in this context. Implications: MERIT provides a clear methodology for delivering mental health occupational therapy services that is amenable to large-scale hybrid implementation and effectiveness studies, thereby supporting practice and rigour in research.
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    Supporting Occupational Justice for Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People Through Narrative-Informed Theater: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
    (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2021-07-01) Wasmuth, Sally; Leonhardt, Bethany; Pritchard, Kevin; Li, Chih-Ying; DeRolf, Annie; Mahaffey, Lisa; Psychiatry, School of Medicine
    Importance: Societal stigma gravely impedes occupational justice for transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) people, producing vast health disparities for this population. Objective: To test the feasibility of an intervention to reduce stigma and improve the well-being of TGNC people. Design: A parallel, mixed-methods design was used to test feasibility in the areas of acceptability, demand, and limited efficacy. Setting: Community. Participants: Forty-two audience members and 5 TGNC interviewees. Intervention: Virtual, narrative-informed play reading and moderated discussion about gender diversity and affirmative care. Outcomes and Measures: The valid and reliable Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Stigma was used to assess stigma beliefs. An open-ended, qualitative question assessed TGNC interviewees' experiences. Results: Recruitment and participant responses to the intervention indicated feasibility in the areas of acceptability, demand, and limited efficacy. However, future efforts at obtaining a diverse TGNC sample are needed. Conclusions and relevance: The intervention decreased stigma beliefs in audience members and offered a positive experience for TGNC participants. Feasibility outcomes warrant future efficacy testing. What This Article Adds: This article adds an innovative intervention for promoting occupational justice to support the health and well-being of TGNC people. The community-based intervention facilitates change in societal attitudes and stigmatizing beliefs.