The BELE program: The development of a holistic interdisciplinary health-promoting program enhancing work-life balance among female employees working in human service organizations in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Despite an increase in work-life balance literature, the development of successful support to help employees manage their work -life balance is slow. Moreover, there are few interventions with a comprehensive approach to workplace health promotion focusing on work-life balance. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to present the development and building blocks of a holistic interdisciplinary health-promoting program, the BELE program, to enhance female employees working in human service organizations health and well-being with a focus on work-life balance. METHODS: The planning and development of the program was done through an intervention mapping and research circles methodology. RESULTS: The planning- and development process of the program resulted in a theoretical framework, and a program structure with a program content. The intervention program was named "The Balance in Everyday Life Empowerment program" (BELE program). CONCLUSIONS: The BELE program adds to the existing body of work-life balance knowledge, so far often based on a conflict approach. Interventions focusing on a comprehensive approach to health and work-life balance with a salutogenic approach are rare. Furthermore, the integration with occupational therapy and health promotion in a workplace health promotion framework is innovative. In a previous study, the BELE program has shown that it enhances women's well-being and balance in their everyday life.

A concept analysis of creative activities as intervention in occupational therapy.

Background: This article is based on a common understanding of the concept of creative activities as intervention, as described in occupational therapy literature. Historically, creative activities have been used as intervention in occupational therapy. There is, however, a lack of clarity in descriptions of the concept.Aims/Objectives: To investigate and clarify the concept of creative activities as intervention (CaI) and to validate the findings in occupational therapy practice.Material and methods: A selection of articles according to PRISMA resulted in 15 articles, analysed with concept analysis. The results were validated by a reference panel of seven occupational therapists using a questionnaire and data was analysed by descriptive statistics.Results: Five attributes defined CaI: (1) Often consisting of elements of art and craft using mind and body, (2) Being experienced as meaningful, (3) Creating creative processes, (4) Developing skills, enhancing occupational performance and managing everyday life, and (5) Being easy to modify individually or in groups with different approaches. Three cases were generated from the attributes to illustrate the integrity of the analysis.Conclusions and significance: The results led to a description of CaI that could facilitate future research communication and common definition in occupational therapy practice.