Eine Mixed-Methods-Studie über verlorene Selbstentwürfe junger Erwachsener: ein Thema für die Ergotherapie?

Introduction: Unfortunate life events are a central part of many clients’ narrations of life transitions. The Lost Possible Selves (LPS) approach offers an opportunity to take a closer look at the impact of drastic life events on the clients’ self-perception and their everyday life. Since previous research on LPS has been limited to adults of advanced age, the study explores LPS and their impact on life perception in young adults and discusses potential benefits of integrating LPS in occupational therapy practice. Method: Using a questionnaire study with a mixed-methods approach, the participants answered open questions about drastic life events and the resulting LPS. The impact on life-perception was measured using standardised scales capturing life satisfaction, belief in a just world and the sense of coherence. Results: Participants experience drastic life events regarding their education, social life, and self, leading to a development of LPS in educational, social, career-oriented, and self-related contexts. Additionally, changes in life satisfaction and in the sense of coherence are shown. Conclusion: LPS are related to central aspects of occupation. In addition to the established concept of narrative reasoning, LPS offer the opportunity to explain changes in the clients’ self-perception with reference to their experience of drastic life events.