Date of Award
12-2020
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Susan MacDermott
Second Advisor
Becki Cohill
Third Advisor
Erin Schwier
Medical Subject Headings
Human Trafficking, Psychological Trauma, Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, Self-Control, Occupational Therapy, Needs Assessment
Abstract
Adolescent survivors of sex trafficking (SST) are susceptible to being in a continual dysregulated arousal state due to lack of mastery in self-regulation. During the trafficking experience, many adolescent SST experience severe trauma and are deprived of opportunities that foster essential regulatory capacities needed for occupational engagement. The use of sensory-based approaches that focus on addressing arousal dysregulation and the impact it has on occupation is an evidence-based practice grounded in occupational therapy research.
This capstone sought to support community reintegration for adolescent SST through the development of sensory-based programming that fosters self-regulation, a skill necessary for occupational participation. A needs assessment of 13 adolescent SST at a short term residential therapeutic program identified that challenges in self-regulation had a negative impact on sleep, education, feeding, leisure, and social participation.
The student developed a 7-week program that addressed four main components including a) education regarding the autonomic nervous system, b) sensory approaches to self-regulation, c) creation of routines, d) environmental modifications.
This capstone suggests occupational therapists have a large role in the reintegration process for adolescent SST. Through empowering survivors to establish sensory-based routines that foster self-regulation, this program lays a foundation for lifelong occupational participation.
Recommended Citation
Harmon, E. (2020). Sensory Approach to Self-Regulation for Adolescent Survivors of Sex Trafficking: An Occupational Therapist's Perspective. [Doctoral project, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences]. SOAR @ USA: Student Capstone Papers Collection. https://doi.org/10.46409/sr.FVVV9088
Related Content
This capstone was also presented as a poster at the Fall 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences:
Harmon, E., Cohill, B., MacDermott, S., & Park, K. (2020, December 11). Self-regulation for adolescent survivors of sex trafficking: An occupational therapist’s perspective. Poster presented at the Fall 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2020/14
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Practices Commons
Comments
Capstone project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy