Skip to main content

Table 2 Definitions of types of work used within the paper

From: Ontological security and connectivity provided by pets: a study in the self-management of the everyday lives of people diagnosed with a long-term mental health condition

Practical work

Work related to housekeeping and repairing; occupational work; child rearing; support and activities related to diet and exercise, general shopping and unspecific personal care.

In addition, practical work incorporates the work related to taking medications, crisis prevention and management, regimen work, taking and interpreting measurements, understanding symptoms, making appointments, etc.

Emotional work

Work related to comforting when worried or anxious about everyday matters, including health, well-being and companionship.

Biographical work

Work related to the actions taken to retain control over the life course and to give life meaning again. This includes the reassessment of personal expectations, capabilities and future plans, personal identity, relationships and biographical events.

  1. Drawn from the work of Corbin and Strauss [31]
Back to article page

BMC Psychiatry

ISSN: 1471-244X

Contact us