Journal Article Review: 'Boredom in Recovery for Adult Substance Users With HIV or AIDS ...
Corvinelli, Antonietta (2010). 'Boredom in Recovery for
Adult Substance Users With HIV/AIDS Attending an Urban Day
Treatment Program' reviewed by Hilary Williams, Lead Occupational
Therapist – Research and Development, South London and Maudsley NHS
Foundation Trust…
Antoinetta Corvinelli from New York
University, New York conducted a qualitative inquiry using grounded
theory methodology to explore the experience of boredom for a group
of eights adults (6 men and 2 women ranging in age from 44 to 60)
in recovery from substance use disorder and who also have
HIV/AIDS. Data was collected over a nine month period, in the
centre in which they were receiving treatment. The interviews
were semi-structured in nature. Sample questions which guided
the interviews are provided in the paper. Subsequent
interviews were carried out to follow up on gaps in the information
from the initial interviews; a total of 21 interviews took
place. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the constant
comparative method of analysis.
Findings from this study are represented by
three themes: Just so natural; top-shelf; the working drug
world incorporated (inc.) and one meta-theme what makes a
life a life?
A definition of, the interrelationships
between the themes and meta-themes are detailed in the paper and
illustrated with participants narratives, bringing these themes to
life. The themes and accompanying narratives are related to a
number of boredom theories, including Csikszentmihalyi’s optimal
arousal theory, Zuckerman’s theory on sensation-seeking and
Fenichel’s ordinary versus disordered boredom theories. For
the participants in this study boredom is defined as the ‘tenacious
perception of nothingness that gives time for, or the opportunity
to reflect on dreams, accomplishments, and failures in ones life’
and can be considered in mental (thinking and feeling components)
and physical (‘nothing to do’ in the immediate surroundings) parts
(page 123) and they remain susceptible to boredom years into
recovery (page 125)
The author discusses the trustworthiness and
limitations of the study aswell as the implications of her work,
including ‘that without a larger career or life theme, contentment
with boredom is a hefty challenge.’ She makes specific reference to
the challenge for occupational therapists and comments that
perfectly matching challenges that involve continual novelty and
new learning may be important to a successful recovery (page
125).
With its rich and detailed material, this
article is one that takes time to read and reflect upon, but does
make a valuable contribution to further understanding the
experience of boredom within a specific population. It is a
paper I would recommend anyone with an interest in this field read
and consider. I look forward to reading further papers by this
author.
Reference: Corvinelli, Antonietta (2010). 'Boredom in Recovery
for Adult Substance Users With HIV/AIDS Attending an Urban Day
Treatment Program', Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 26:
2, 99 — 130.