The Meaning Perspectives Transformation Model is characterised by three phases: the trigger phase, the changing phase, and the outcome phase. These three phases move the process of meaning perspective transformation in the physical, emotional, cognitive, or spiritual dimensions. Critical self-reflection acts as a catalyst and represents as a moment of “readiness of change”. This allows clients to identify their assumptions, question meaning, and develop alternative ways of performing. In the trigger phase, the experience of being ill or injured presents three types of interacting triggers (recognition of the symptoms and functional limitations, challenges of the health care authority, and the diagnosis itself). For example, the diagnosis, as an external trigger, and the client’s critical reflection on the impact is the internal trigger that brings emotions and awareness. Then the changing phase is the client’s critical self-reflection of bio-psycho-social and spiritual issues encountered when living with the functional limitation. Distortions, and a psycho-cognitive logic, may react and result in distressed sense of self and false expectations, which are expressed in words. These distortions can be used to harness energy for transformative change. Therapeutic activities or other appropriate modality of treatment in occupational therapy interventions serves as a platform for this phase. For example, when practicing of one-handed techniques, clients concretely confront their limitations and learn to cope and manage with residual function. They can express their difficulties with their beliefs, values, feelings, and knowledge, while therapists listen carefully to the reflective self explorations on various concepts, such as occupation, environment, and their contextual significance attached with the meaning perspective. Transformation of meaning perspectives and the time when the client moves into a readiness for change in occupational performance indicates the end of this phase. The outcome phase involves making choices to obtain a new occupational balance based on guidelines created in the changing phase. Therapists observe if there is reconstruction of a new identity, in which the client regains a sense of coherent at present, and foresees a positive, important future.
Summarized by
- Macey Cho
Type
- Model (conceptual)
Population
- Child
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Elderly
Disability
- All
Domain of occupation
- Unspecified
Application Note
This model provides a tool for occupational therapists to increase awareness to clients, listen closely to identify the weakening and emerging meaning perspectives.
Key Reference
Dubouloz, C. J. (2014). Transformative occupational therapy: We are wired to be transformers. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81(4), 204-212.
Year Published
- 2014
Primary Developer
- Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz
Primary Developer Email
- dubouloz@uottawa.ca