Occupational identity, occupational competence and occupational settings (environment): influences on return to work in men living with HIV/AIDS.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine and describe the relationship between the efforts of twelve men living with AIDS to reestablish a worker role following completion of a vocational rehabilitation program and changes in their occupational identity, occupational competence and perception of occupational settings (environment).

Methods: A series of in-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed and analyzed via categorical content analysis using sections of the text as the unit of analysis.

Findings: Findings illustrate how constructs measured by the sub-scales of the OPHI-II may be helpful in understanding how persons frame past, present and anticipated experiences as they attempt to reestablish a life role lost after the onset of disability. The findings are supported by the quantitative item hierarchies of the occupational identity, occupational competence and occupational settings (environment) scales established in earlier quantitative research via Rasch analysis.

Conclusion: The constructs of occupational identity, occupational competence and occupational settings (environment) are useful constructs to aid in understanding the experiences and narratives of persons attempting to reenter a major life role.