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Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-researched and evidence-based psychotherapy that is underutilised in Africa. CBT presents opportunities for occupational therapists to expand their practice, for example by promoting engagement in meaningful and purposeful activity (behavioural activation), engaging with a mental health care user's thoughts during and after participation in activity (cognitive restructuring), and grading exposure to traumatic activities (exposure therapy). However, it is also critical that occupational therapists using CBT techniques culturally adapt these for their practice context and engage in professional development activities to develop their competencies as CBT practitioners. This commentary highlights recent advances in CBT practice and calls for CBT and associated techniques to be made more accessible to mental health care users in Africa. Implications for practice * The relationship between participation and mental health is gaining prominence within the field of CBT. Occupational therapists should position themselves as experts in the therapeutic use of activity. * Occupational therapists using CBT techniques should culturally adapt their practice to meet the mental health needs of people living in Africa. * Occupational therapists using CBT techniques should follow internationally recognised pathways to CBT professional development, and register as Affiliated Members of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Association of South Africa [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School-related Gender-based Violence (SRGBV) is a sub-set of gender-based violence (GBV) that occurs in primary and secondary school settings. SRGBV is a daunting reality, a crime against humanity, and therefore a human rights issue. Responsive SRGBV programmes need to be dynamic, and determined by the needs of communities and learners. If the Department of Basic Education (DBE) wants to remain relevant in supporting communities into becoming safe spaces for all, it needs to promote safe community models with adequate flexibility. Although school-based occupational therapists are a human resource of the DBE, traditionally occupational therapists have not been involved in addressing SRGBV in school settings in South Africa. Implications for practice: This opinion paper elaborates on the context within which school-based occupational therapists can reframe SRGBV as an occupational injustice, and develop life skills interventions that address SRGBV. Recommendations for action are made using existing frameworks such as the Participatory Occupational Justice Framework, and the INSPIRE framework of the United Nations. It encourages school-based occupational therapists to become activists that promote occupational justice, and are leaders in the prevention of and intervention for SRGBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Poor quality teacher training is one reason why children do not achieve school readiness. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) includes teacher and day care provider training in teaching basic concepts to pre-schoolers, as an essential occupational therapy role. eLearning and mLearning are affordable, accessible, and usable formats for this training. This scoping review will provide a framework for improving the usability of eLearning and mLearning for teachers and day care providers of pre-schoolers. Methods and Analysis:This scoping review follows Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines using ERIC, CIHNAL, Africa Wide Information and Academic Search Premier databases, and a blind review process by two researchers. COVIDENCE software will be used to manage the review. Framework analysis using the nine usability criteria and WeftQDA will identify recommendations for eLearning and mLearning design. Ethics and dissemination: This protocol is published to improve transparency and avoid duplication of work, as recommended in the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The findings of this scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in 2020 and presented at conferences. The results will also inform the design of an mLearning application for teachers and day care providers within the African context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Occupational therapy patient education is an acknowledged intervention that may enable clients with spinal cord injury to improve performance of activities of daily living. Many spinal cord injury individuals return to the community with inadequate activities of daily living skills due to short length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation. This systematic review evaluates the effect of activities of daily living education on rehabilitation outcomes following spinal cord injury. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis of activities of daily living clinical trials for spinal cord injury was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Findings: Three educational interventions were identified: Clinical Practice Guidelines for preservation of upper limb function following spinal cord injury; Peer Mentoring Education; and Needs Assessment Checklist. The educational programmes improved performance in activities of daily living, patient awareness, and health and wellbeing (p : 0.0001–0.755). Intermediate and long-term rehabilitation outcomes including self-efficacy, pain, and participation did not improve (p > 0.05). The overall random effect of the Clinical Practice Guidelines programme was ineffective (heterogeneity: p = 0.00001, I 2 = 97%). Conclusion: There was mixed evidence for the effectiveness of activities of daily living education following spinal cord injury. Further research on occupational therapy patient education during spinal cord injury rehabilitation to improve outcomes is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim The “asphalt identikit” theory suggests that driving cessation inevitably leads to feelings of incompetence and dependency. This article challenges this proposition by investigating the driving-related possible selves of British older adults living in West London. Methods Thematic analysis of data from 19 of 39 interviews in which older adults participating in a larger study talked about driving in the context of their grocery shopping. Results Three themes were evident: “I can drive – that makes a huge difference,” “Expecting to lose my license,” and “I gave up my license.” Discussion Driving cessation is not a dreaded possible self for all older adults. Older adults may use a variety of identity maintenance processes to retain their positive sense of self. Conclusions Mental well-being can be maintained during driving cessation by finding ways to compensate for the loss of a license and finding alternative ways of achieving hoped-for possible selves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:Services provided to older people should be developed based on active ageing policies. Nutrition is one aspect of active ageing, but little is known about how food activities contribute to psychological well-being in later life. This is a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative research that answers the question ‘What is known about the relationship between food activities and the maintenance of identities in old age?’. Methods:We followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines and used quality assessment parameters to complete a systematic review and narrative synthesis. Academic Search Premier, MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, and PsycINFO databases were searched. Results:We initially identified 8016 articles, of which 167 full-text articles were screened for inclusion. Twenty-two articles were included in the review. There was moderate evidence from nine qualitative and two quantitative studies, of variable quality, that food activities contribute to the maintenance of women's gendered identities, the ethnic identities of men and women, and community identities. There was moderate evidence from 10 qualitative studies, of variable quality, that a change in food choice and deteriorating health changed food activity participation. These changes threatened identities. Most studies included both younger adults and older adults. Conclusion:In later life, there are many life experiences leading to change. Further research is needed to develop understanding of how identity and mental well-being are maintained, despite changes in everyday activities like cooking and eating. This may enable health care professionals to meet psychological needs alongside biological needs during nutritional interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article about the Q methodology for occupational therapists by Moores and colleagues in the 2010 issue.