Scoping review of occupational therapy interventions for individuals diagnosed with severe mental disorder

Abstract

[Abstract] Severe mental illness includes chronic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which significantly impact individuals' daily lives and require continuous assistance. Occupational therapy has proven to be an effective discipline in intervening with this population, enhancing their occupational performance and promoting their well-being through participation in meaningful activities. To identify scientific literature related to severe mental illness in occupational therapy. A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The initial search, carried out across 10 databases, retrieved a total of 586 records. After removing duplicates, n = 546 records remained, of which n = 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. Empirical studies with quantitative methodology predominate. The results indicated a significant growth in the number of publications since the 1990s, reflecting an increased interest and recognition of occupational therapy in the intervention of severe mental illness. The analysed studies address five central themes and highlighted the effectiveness of interventions in improving autonomy, social participation, and the well-being of individuals with this diagnosis. The increase in publications reflects greater acceptance and recognition of occupational therapy in the intervention of severe mental illness.