Assessment and intervention on the classifications of occupational dysfunction in a community-living client with schizophrenia presented with cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

This practical study aimed to improve the social outcomes in a client with schizophrenia who hoped to gain employment. The client was assessed for occupational dysfunction, life skills and environment, internal motivation, and cognitive impairment. After interpreting the relationship between each factor, the interventions based on cognitive rehabilitation techniques, life skills training, and environmental support were applied to improve the cognitive impairment that was assumed to cause the occupational dysfunction. As a result, the client’s occupational dysfunction improved, and he was able to meet his goal and obtain an employment contract for continuous employment type A (paid employment). Conducting an occupational therapy practice based on the assessment of occupational dysfunction while interpreting factors, such as life skills, environment, internal motivation, and cognitive impairment, is useful to improve social outcomes in community-living clients with schizophrenia presented with cognitive dysfunction.