‘Baking Gives You Confidence’: Users' Views of Engaging in the Occupation of Baking

Abstract

The quality of care in acute inpatient areas has been identified as unacceptable and, in some areas, as counter-therapeutic (Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health 1998). Occupational therapy continues to make a significant contribution within this practice area. However, specific research that has addressed the acute service user's perspective of engagement in occupation is limited. This qualitative study explored 12 mental health service users' perspectives of engagement in the occupation of baking through a semi-structured interview. The findings identified that the opportunity to acquire new skills and, importantly, confidence while producing an end product stimulated the participants to attend the treatment session. The engagement in baking was also influenced by the participants' desire to add structure to their daily routine. The study concludes that the physical and social environment in which the therapy takes place is a powerful motivating factor in facilitating individuals to participate in an occupation. The findings emphasise the importance of engagement in occupations, in conducive settings that meet the individual's needs. The study highlights that baking has many recognisable benefits for service users, offering a flexible and valued occupation.