Beyond Observable Participation: Occupational Experiences, Temporal Dynamics, and Resources Used in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly influences individuals’ daily life, yet little is known about their experiences of occupational participation and the supporting resources they use. To explore the lived experiences of occupational participation among adults with PTSD and identify resources that support their participation in everyday life. Employing a qualitative design grounded in descriptive phenomenology, remote semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 community-dwelling adults diagnosed with PTSD. Data were processed through reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis revealed three primary themes: (a) the occupational experience of living with PTSD including effort, motivational challenges, and dysregulation; (b) temporal dynamics of participation; and (c) resources supporting participation, such as balance, processing trauma through occupation and doing for others. The findings elucidate the ways in which trauma influences occupational experiences and highlight key resources that can facilitate participation, offering valuable insights to advance occupational therapy practice for individuals with PTSD.