Research
Health, Wellbeing and Participation
Research Group
Research to explore the links between health, wellbeing, and participation, and to develop and evaluate interventions and assessments to enhance people's health, wellbeing and participation.
The Health, Wellbeing and Participation Research Group is based in the School of Science, Technology and Health and led by Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett , Professor in Occupational Therapy.
This is a cross-disciplinary research group conducting research within the School of Science, Technology and Health, with colleagues in other Schools, and with external partners from health, social care, and charitable organisations.
Within our research group, we take a broad view of health, as defined in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Constitution as 'a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity' (Constitution of the World Health Organization, WHO 1948).
An individual's health is a key aspect of their wellbeing. Wellbeing comprises an individual's experience of their life, and a comparison of life circumstances with social norms and values (Department of Health, n.d.), it includes subjective and objective wellbeing and mental wellbeing.
Participation is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2001) as 'involvement in life situations'. Our research explores factors that enable or restrict participation in people's desired, needed or expected roles, occupations, and activities. This includes the development and/or evaluation of assessments, and of individual and group interventions designed to enhance health and wellbeing and increase participation.
Get in touch
We welcome members of the research community and prospective PhD students interested in health, wellbeing, and participation to join the group. For more information, please contact Alison at a.laverfawcett@yorksj.ac.uk.
Research activity
Activity Card Sort
The Activity Card Sort – United Kingdom (ACS-UK, Laver-Fawcett, 2018) is a self-report assessment for older adults (age 65 years and above) developed to determine their level of participation in a wide range of activities. The 93 ACS-UK activity cards comprises photographs and activity label descriptions. The ACS-UK is available to purchase from York St John University. Current research is evaluating the impact of the ACS-UK in practice. A further study is being conducted to develop an ACS-UK for children and adolescents.
For further information please contact: a.laverfawcett@yorksj.ac.uk.
References
Laver-Fawcett, A. J. (2019) The Activity Card Sort – United Kingdom version (ACS-UK): Test manual. York, York St John University
Laver-Fawcett A J, Brain L, Brodie C, Cardy L, Manaton L (2016) The Face Validity and Clinical Utility of the Activity Card Sort – United Kingdom (ACS-UK). British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(8) 492–504. Doi:10.1177/0308022616629167]
Laver-Fawcett AJ, Mallinson S H (2013). Development of the Activity Card Sort – United Kingdom version (ACS-UK). OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 33 (3), 134-145. DOI: 10.3928/15394492-20130614-02
Structured Observational Test of Function
Structured Observational Test of Function 2nd edition (SOTOF, Laver-Fawcett and Marrison, 2016).
The SOTOF is an assessment of older people's performance of self-care and their related neuropsychological function, for use in people's homes and in clinical settings (for example, in-patient wards, out-patient clinics, occupational therapy departments, day hospitals, day centres and nursing homes). It comprises standardised and dynamic assessment phases.
SOTOF offers a structure to observe and evaluate performance of four activities of daily living and provides a profile of the person's related skills and needs. It can be used to signpost the need for further assessment and help inform goal setting and intervention planning. Current research is evaluating the impact of the SOTOF in practice.
The SOTOF 2nd edition is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License, an electronic copy of the test manual, administration instructions and scoring forms are available from Alison on request.
For further information and/or a copy please contact: a.laverfawcett@yorksj.ac.uk.
References
Laver-Fawcett, A.J., and Marrison, E. (2016) The Structured Observation Test of Function (SOTOF) 2nd edition: Test Manual. York: York St John University.
Iyengar Yoga and Long Covid
The impact of an online pilot project delivering Iyengar yoga therapy to people experiencing long-term effects of coronavirus (Long Covid).
Research team: Dr Chris Boyes (Head of Programme: MSc Professional Health and Social Care Programme Suite, School of Science, Technology and Health), Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett (Professor in Occupational Therapy, School of Science, Technology and Health), Lynne Lacock (Senior Lecture in Counselling, School of Education, Language and Psychology), Dr Laura Potts (Iyengar Yoga Association UK), Vishal Shah (Student researcher, funded by the YSJ Student Researcher Scheme).
Dancing for wellbeing
Dancing for Wellbeing: impact of weekly dance classes on wellbeing of older people.
Research team: Nicola Forshaw (Senior Lecturer, Drama and Dance, School of the Arts), Alison Laver-Fawcett, (Professor in Occupational Therapy, School of Science, Technology and Health) and Jessica Duffy (Student researcher, funded by the YSJ Student Researcher Scheme).
Evaluation of Keeping Families in Mind Service
An Independent evaluation of the Keeping Families in Mind Service (2021). Alison Laver-Fawcett (Professor in Occupational Therapy), Nick Wood (Education and Development Lead), Ellenor Southwell (Research Assistant).
The evaluation aimed to discover whether or not the Keeping Families in Mind Service was beneficial for families of serving and veteran military personnel. Findings indicated the KFIM service resulted in improved scores on measures of mental wellbeing and resilience for most clients.
This project was undertaken in collaboration with Sheffield Mind and funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Reference: Laver-Fawcett A, Wood N, Southwell, E (2021) An Independent evaluation of the keeping Families in Mind service. Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. Available to download: An Independent evaluation of the Keeping Families in Mind Service (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Group members
/prod01/yorksjacuk/media/content-assets/staff-profile-images/Alison-Laver-Fawcett-.jpg)
Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett
Group leader; Professor in Occupational Therapy
Dr Chris Boyes
Senior Lecturer
/prod01/yorksjacuk/media/content-assets/staff-profile-images/Nicola-Forshaw.jpg)
Nicola Forshaw
Senior Lecturer
Tracey Daniels
Postgraduate researcher
Title: Understanding the place of inhaled therapy in optimising outcomes for people with cystic fibrosis in the post modulator era (Supervisors: Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett, Dr Sam Yoward).
Alicia Ridout
Postgraduate researcher
Title: Digital Clinical Safety for Older People accessing Social Care Occupational Therapy Services: A qualitative exploration of digital clinical risk management in the deployment and use of complex/advanced technologies to facilitate independence with older people (Supervisors: Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett, Dr Aminu Usman).
Rida Wahba
Postgraduate researcher
Title: A feasibility study to investigate the effect of cardiorespiratory exercises and resistance training on the working memory, attention, and quality of life of people with chronic stroke (Supervisors: Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett, Dr Judy Purton).
Christie Alkin
Masters by Research student
Title: An evaluation of the impact of occupational therapy sensory modulation group intervention on mental health outcomes for British military veterans accessing treatment for service-related mental health problems (Supervisors: Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett, Professor Lynne Gabriel).
Jolandi Du Preez
Masters by Research student
Title: To evaluate the Face Validity and Clinical Utility of Sensory Assessments (Adolescent/Adult Sensory profile, Adult Sensory History and Adult Sensory Processing Scale) with UK veterans receiving treatment for trauma-based mental health difficulties (Supervisors: Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett, Professor Lynne Gabriel).
