Posttraumatic stress disorder and occupational performance: Building resilience and fostering occupational adaptation
Abstract
Resilience and vulnerability refer to an individual's capacity to persevere in the face of adversity. Resiliency and vulnerability are distinctive personal characteristics influenced by environmental factors such as socio-cultural and institutional contexts. Resiliency and vulnerability are not absolute; they are psychosocial constructs of a phenomenological continuum. Hence, a resilient individual is not invincible to all life events but has the capacity to endure in most circumstances. Clients who sustain traumatic injuries or witness traumatic events have a greater vulnerability to stress disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Occupational therapy practitioners should be cognizant of a client's resilient and adaptive capacities when providing services to a client who has endured a traumatic event. This paper explores resilience theory and its application to occupational therapy practice.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Activities and skills in the mental resilience model, including emotional regulation and coping, positive affect, and interpersonal relationships, have been attributed to fostering resilience.
“The activities and skills listed in this model have been attributed to the fostering of resilience, including those used to improve emotional regulation and coping, such as mindfulness, grounding, and self-talk; positive affect, such as purposeful leisure activities; and interpersonal relationships [23,24].”
There was an observed lack of social connectedness components within the apps reviewed.
“there was an observed lack of social connectedness components within the apps reviewed [14,23,36,46].”
Mental health can impact the daily functioning of an individual, and resilience is closely tied to mental health and well-being.
“Mental health can impact the daily functioning of an individual, and the concept of resilience is closely tied to mental health and well-being [23].”
Strong evidence indicates that social support is a strong contributor to psychological health, overall well-being, and quality of life.
“the strong evidence that social support is a strong contributor to psychological health [23,24], overall well-being, and quality of life [24].”
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Managing job performance, social support and work-life conflict to reduce workplace stress
Foy, T., Dwyer, R. J., Nafarrete, R., Hammoud, M. S., & Rockett, P. P. (2019) · International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management · doi:10.1108/ijppm-03-2017-0061 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Andérson, G. S., Nota, P. M. D., Groll, D., & Carleton, R. N. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17207645 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Student paramedic experience of transition into the workforce: A scoping review
Kennedy, S., Kenny, A. J., & O'Meara, P. F. (2015) · Nurse Education Today · doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2015.04.015 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
“This resiliency though is not related to actual invulnerability, just that an individual may learn to cope with many circumstances, but not all (Lopez, 2011).”
BackgroundCoping among public safety personnel: A systematic review and meta–analysis
Nota, P. M. D., Kasurak, E., Bahji, A., Groll, D., & Andérson, G. S. (2021) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3039 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
“…rates of PTSI symptoms among PSP have been shown to negatively impact the quality of occupational performance and interpersonal relationships, increase absenteeism, burnout and sleep difficulties, and contribute to early mortality (Anderson et al., 2002; Gerber et al., 2010; Lopez, 2011).”
BackgroundOccupational Adaptation as a Construct: A Scoping Review of Literature
Grajo, L. C., Boisselle, A. K., & DaLomba, E. J. (2018) · The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.15453/2168-6408.1400 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
“…Wilcock, 1998; Frank, 1996 x x Lexell, Iwarsson, & Lund, 2011 Kielhofner, 2008; Schkade & Schultz, 1992; Spencer, Davidson & White, 1996 x 10 x Lopez, 2011 Fine, 1991; Schkade & Schultz, 1992 x x Luck & Beagan, 2015 Schkade & Schultz, 1992; Kielhofner, 2002; Kielhofner, 2009. x x 7…”
Sensory-based interventions with adult and adolescent trauma survivors
McGreevy, S., & Boland, P. (2020) · Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.1108/ijot-10-2019-0014 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Building personal resilience in paramedic students
Anderson, G. S., Vaughan, A. D., & Mills, S. (2017) · Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being · doi:10.35502/jcswb.44 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“Yet, significant stress and/or PTSD can significantly impair one’s ability to function in such complex environments, significantly impacting work performance and quality of life (Lopez, 2011).”
BackgroundSpeicher, S., Walter, K. H., & Chard, K. M. (2014) · American Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.5014/ajot.2014.011304 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Research studies have shown that PTSD and TBI can negatively affect functional performance and quality of life (Carlson et al., 2011; Devitt et al., 2006; Lopez, 2011; Phipps & Richardson, 2007; Plach & Sells, 2013).”
BackgroundVoth, M., Chisholm, S., Sollid, H., Jones, C., Smith-MacDonald, L., & Brémault-Phillips, S. (2022) · JMIR mHealth and uHealth · doi:10.2196/26453 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“According to Lopez [23], “resilient individuals have a greater likelihood of engaging in healthy and productive activities and having a better quality of life.””
InfluentialOccupational therapy and posttraumatic stress disorder: A scoping review
Edgelow, M. M., MacPherson, M. M., Arnaly, F., Tam-Seto, L., & Cramm, H. A. (2019) · Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.1177/0008417419831438 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Walder, K., Molineux, M., Bissett, M., et al. (2019) · Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.1080/11038128.2019.1695931 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Occupational exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder: A rapid review
Eerd, D. V., Irvin, E., Harbin, S., Mahood, Q., & Tiong, M. (2021) · Work · doi:10.3233/wor-203406 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Self-Reported Coping Strategies for Managing Work-Related Stress among Public Safety Personnel
Andérson, G. S., Ricciardelli, R., Tam‐Seto, L., Gıwa, S., & Carleton, R. N. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19042355 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Significant occupational stress and PTSD have each been associated with work-related performance decrements, individual functional impairments in complex environments, and reduced quality of life [11,12].”
BackgroundImpact of Prior Traumatic Life Events on Parental Early Stage Reactions following a Child's Cancer
Boman, K. K., Kjällander, Y., Eksborg, S., & Becker, J. R. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057556 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“[19–25].”
Kerr, N. C., Ashby, S., Gerardi, S. M., & Lane, S. J. (2020) · Australian Occupational Therapy Journal · doi:10.1111/1440-1630.12684 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Best practice intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder among transit workers
Bender, A., Eynan, R., O’Grady, J., Nisenbaum, R. A., Shah, R., & Links, P. S. (2016) · Work · doi:10.3233/wor-162263 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Fox, J., Erlandsson, L., & Shiel, A. (2019) · Occupational Therapy in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/0164212x.2018.1516172 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Stress reduces energy and motivation to complete daily activities (Johansson, Eklund, & Erlandsson, 2012) and is related to resilience and adaptive capacity (Lopez, 2011).”
BackgroundDeveloping an Occupation-Centred Framework for Trauma Intervention
Edgelow, M., & Cramm, H. A. (2020) · Occupational Therapy in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/0164212x.2020.1808148 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Edgelow, M., Brar, S., & Fecica, A. (2023) · Frontiers in Organizational Psychology · doi:10.3389/forgp.2023.1284650 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“These illnesses can profoundly impact an individual’s wellbeing, including mood, executive functioning, sleep patterns, and relationships (Lopez, 2011; Aupperle et al., 2012; American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Sareen, 2014).”
Influence of Occupational Therapy on Resilience in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Falk-Kessler, J. P., Kalina, J. T., & Miller, P. (2012) · International Journal of MS Care · doi:10.7224/1537-2073-14.3.160 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Vaughan-Horrocks, H., Reagon, C., & Seymour, A. (2020) · British Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.1177/0308022620977818 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Bakirci, A. E., Demirel, N., Şar, V., & Cetin, A. (2025) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-025-22908-9 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“The sample size calculation was performed using G*Power 3.1 software [41], with parameters set for multiple regression analysis (α = 0.05, power [1-β] = 0.80, medium effect size f² = 0.15, and five predictors).”
InfluentialThe Process of Developing Resilience in Patients With Burn Injuries
Han, J., Xue-Ping, Z. H. O. U., Liu, J., Yue, P., & Gao, L. (2019) · Journal of Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000342 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Some researchers have suggested that studying the development of resilience may help in understanding the phenomenon of resilience and ultimately foster occupational adaptation in patients (Lopez, 2011; Xi, Zuo, &Wu, 2012).”
BackgroundMultisensory Environments for Outcomes of Occupational Engagement in Dementia: A Systematic Review
Cusic, E., Hoppe, M., Sultenfuss, M., et al. (2022) · Physical & Occupational Therapy In Geriatrics · doi:10.1080/02703181.2022.2028954 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
(2022) · Journal of System and Management Sciences · doi:10.33168/jsms.2022.0629 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Haracz, K., & Roberts, E. (2016) · Australian Occupational Therapy Journal · doi:10.1111/1440-1630.12277 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Lovegrove, C., Marsden, J. F., Smith, M. K., Sturkenboom, I. H. W. M., & Bannigan, K. (2022) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/41230 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“The stress associated with anxiety disorders reduces energy and the motivation to complete activities of daily living [6] and is linked to both resilience and occupational adaptivity, that is, any adjustment or behavior change in response to the demands of living [7].”
Managing Workplace Stress for Increased Performance in an Irish Higher Education Institution
Foy, T. (2015) · ScholarWorks (Walden University) · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Sherman, D. S., Burnett, H. J., & Lindstrom, D. (2024) · OTJR Occupational Therapy Journal of Research · doi:10.1177/15394492241237746 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Lopez (2011) argued that OT practitioners should use meaningful participation to positively impact occupational performance after experiencing adverse life events.”
Edgelow, M., & Fecica, A. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1377157 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives and Role With Illness-Induced Trauma From Medical Conditions
Beyers, C. N., Weaver, J., Huyber, C. M., et al. (2024) · OTJR Occupational Therapy Journal of Research · doi:10.1177/15394492241247735 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Trauma and illness can disturb participation in meaningful occupations and cause maladaptive responses to occupational challenges (Lopez, 2011).”
Costas-Franco, C., Rivas-Quarneti, N., & González‐García, C. (2025) · Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.1080/11038128.2025.2483502 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Many authors highlighted the need to recognise the impact of the social, cultural, socioeconomic, institutional, and physical components of the environment surrounding people affected by trauma [12,21,24,25,27,28,33].”
InfluentialEdgelow, M., de Oliveira, L. B., Ataev, N., & Islam, M. N. (2025) · Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation · doi:10.1007/s10926-025-10355-7 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Puig, G., & Rodolfo Morrison, J. (2026) · Australian Occupational Therapy Journal · doi:10.1111/1440-1630.70105 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Based on the results, it is suggested that, for populations exposed to trauma, occupation-based interventions need to be explicitly trauma-informed, rather than limited to generic stress-management programmes or work-resilience training (Lopez, 2011; Muriithi et al., 2022; Van Niekerk, 2024).”
InfluentialNobre, S., Reis, S. G. R., Castro, F. V., & Esteves, M. D. F. L. (2013) · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Esteves, M. L., Castro, F. V., & Nobre, S. (2013) · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Nobre, S., & Castro, F. V. (2016) · International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología · doi:10.17060/ijodaep.2016.n1.v2.155 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Neurobiologia da resiliência: em busca de lesão por um futuro consciente
Nobre, S., & Castro, F. V. (2016) · International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología · doi:10.17060/ijodaep.2016.n1.v2.154 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Nobre, S., Briegas, J. J. M., & Castro, F. V. (2017) · International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología · doi:10.17060/ijodaep.2017.n1.v1.900 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Lopez (2011) reinforced that resilience as an innate and acquired competence, deriving from idiosyncratic characteristics and experience, includes a set of internal and external mechanisms enhanced when adversity occurs, could be developed by cognitive transformation practices, education and…”
BackgroundEnhance democracy: resilience and meritocracy
Nobre, S., Rocha, R., Castro, F. V., & Briegas, J. J. M. (2018) · International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología · doi:10.17060/ijodaep.2018.n1.v1.1152 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Prevention of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among Military Health Care Workers: A Systematic Review
Orsello, C. A., & Alfonzo, C. A. (2012) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Horowitz, B. P., Lopez, A. M., & Smith, C. R. (2018) · World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin · doi:10.1080/14473828.2018.1432313 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“tial fit between performance skills, environmental resources, and psychosocial capacities (Fine, 1991; Lopez, 2011).”
BackgroundSelf-citationJacobowitz, W. (2018) · Public Health - Open Journal · doi:10.17140/phoj-3-126 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Development of an occupational challenge assessment tool using Bayesian structural equation modelingPreprint
Morohoshi, N., Kyougoku, M., & Sano, N. (2017) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/m8s9e · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Jeter, W. K. (2013) · K-State Research Exchange (Kansas State University) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Work-related needs and experiences of people recovering from mental health problems
Cameron, J. (2013) · University of Brighton Repository (University of Brighton)
PRODUTIVIDADE: CRITICA (L) RESILIÊNCIA
Nobre, S., Castro, F. V., & Esteves, M. L. (2016) · International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología · doi:10.17060/ijodaep.2014.n1.v5.679
Nobre, S., Castro, F. V., & Briegas, J. J. M. (2018) · International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología · doi:10.17060/ijodaep.2017.n2.v1.1119
Pfann, R., & Kurth, S. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-51391-0_8
Lovegrove, C., Sturkenboom, I. H. W. M., Smith, M. K., Marsden, J. F., & Bannigan, K. (2024) · doi:10.2196/preprints.56640
Yücel, H., & Bektaş, S. A. (2025) · Work · doi:10.1177/10519815251331802
“18 Especially, during COVID-19, the roles of emergency healthcare workers in both their individual, work, and family lives have been affected by the concern of being sick and contagious.”
- Authors
- Lopez, A.
- Affiliations
- Stony Brook School (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lopez, Alexander
- ORCID
- Lopez, Alexander
- Venue
- WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-01
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 33-38
- ISSN
- 1051-9815 (ISSN-L)
- 1875-9270
- OpenAlex
- W1514013432
- Cited by
- 56
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 7.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Work (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Therapy Practice and Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, resilience, occupational performance, occupational adaptation, occupational therapy practice, trauma, vulnerability
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Humans, Occupational Therapy, Psychological Theory, Social Support, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Task Performance and Analysis
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
