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Related Experiment Videos

Metaphor and meaning in a clinical interview

T Mallinson1, G Kielhofner, C Mattingly

  • 1Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612, USA.

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Psychiatric patients use recurring "deep metaphors" to give meaning to their life stories and frame solutions to problems. Understanding these narrative features is key for occupational therapy interventions.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy

Background:

  • Life histories are crucial for understanding individuals.
  • Narrative features within these histories can reveal underlying psychological processes.
  • Occupational therapy often relies on understanding a patient's life story.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and locate narrative features in psychiatric patients' life histories.
  • To examine the role of "deep metaphors" in shaping life stories.
  • To explore the implications of these findings for occupational therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 20 life histories collected via the Occupational Performance History Interview.
  • Qualitative examination of narrative structures and recurring metaphorical themes.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Identification of how patients "emplot" their life experiences.

    • Main Results:

    • Patients utilize consistent, recurring "deep metaphors" to organize and interpret their life events.
    • These metaphors provide coherence and meaning to the life story.
    • Metaphors were found to frame perceived solutions to life problems.

    Conclusions:

    • Deep metaphors are significant narrative elements in psychiatric patients' life histories.
    • Identifying these metaphors can enhance the interpretation of patient experiences.
    • Understanding narrative metaphors offers valuable insights for occupational therapy practice.