Barriers to Occupational Balance in Daily Living: Perspectives of university students with physical disabilities

Sharifah Najwa Zulkifli; Syamsul Anwar Sultan Ibrahim; Mohd Suleiman Murad; Usep Abdulmatin

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v10i34.7358

Authors

Sharifah Najwa Zulkifli Centre for Occupational Therapy Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Syamsul Anwar Sultan Ibrahim Centre for Occupational Therapy Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Mohd Suleiman Murad Perdana University School of Occupational Therapy, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Usep Abdulmatin Faculty of Adab and Humanities, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10i34.7358

Keywords:

Occupational Balance, Occupational Barriers, Physical Disability, University Students, Daily Living

Abstract

Occupational balance, the perspective of engaging in the right mix of meaningful daily activities, is crucial for health and well-being. University students with physical disabilities (SWPD) often face barriers that limit functional performance, participation, and independence. This qualitative study explored these barriers among ten SWPDs from five Malaysian public universities using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: Occupational Performance Challenges, Functional Mobility Limitations, Functional Status Constraints, Limited Occupational Participation, and Occupational Deprivation and Withdrawal. In summary, findings highlight that occupational barriers among university SWPD extend beyond environmental constraints to include performance challenges, functional limitations, and participation restrictions.

Author Biographies

Syamsul Anwar Sultan Ibrahim, Centre for Occupational Therapy Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

QUALIFICATION

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY) (PHD), UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UITM)

MASTER OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (SARJANA (MASTER)), LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA

SIJIL PELAJARAN MALAYSIA (MCE/SPM/SPM(V)/SPVM), SEKOLAH MENENGAH SAINS SULTAN MOHAMAD JIWA

DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (DIPLOMA), UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, CAWANGAN SHAH ALAM

BACHELOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (HONS) SECOND CLASS (UPPER) (IJAZAH SARJANA MUDA (KEPUJIAN)), UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, CAWANGAN SHAH ALAM

FIELD

DIVISION OF EXPERTISE: MEDICAL AND HEALTH

CATEGORY OF EXPERTISE: MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

GROUP OF EXPERTISE: OTHER MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES N.E.C.

AREA OF EXPERTISE: OTHER MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES N.E.C.

RESEARCH NEXUS UiTM (ReNeU): HEALTH & WELLNESS (HW)

Mohd Suleiman Murad, Perdana University School of Occupational Therapy, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

QUALIFICATION

PHD (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY) (PHD), MONASH UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA - CLAYTON, CAUFIELD, PENINSULA

SARJANA PENGURUSAN KESELAMATAN INDUSTRI (SARJANA (MASTER)), UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA, BANGI

CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AS A : OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (KEAHLIAN PROFESIONAL), KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA

DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (DIPLOMA), SEKOLAH LATIHAN JURUPULIH ANGGOTA

BSC (HONS) APPLIED REHABILITATION (OCC.THERAPHY) (IJAZAH SARJANA MUDA (KEPUJIAN)), TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY

FIELD

DIVISION OF EXPERTISE: MEDICAL AND HEALTH

CATEGORY OF EXPERTISE: MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

GROUP OF EXPERTISE: ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESEARCH

AREA OF EXPERTISE: HEALTH AND SAFETY (OCCUPATIONAL)

RESEARCH NEXUS UiTM (ReNeU): HEALTH & WELLNESS (HW)

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