{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.018288700195950358, 'fraction_numerical': 0.001959503592423253, 'mean_word_length': 6.158878504672897, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Occupational Engagement and Meaning: The Experience of Ikebana Practice

Engagement and meaning are essential properties of occupation that have been associated with well-being in the occupational science literature. A deeper examination of subjective experiences while engaging in particular occupations may illuminate how specific occupational characteristics contribute to the relationship between occupation and well-being. Consequently, this study investigates the concepts of personal meaning and occupational engagement by exploring the experience of ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) among practitioners. As a symbolic and disciplined art form anchored in cultural history, ikebana is a highly suitable occupation for examining subjective experiences of occupation and characteristics like personal meaning and engagement. Descriptive phenomenology informed the study design and data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with nine ikebana practitioners, including novices and teachers. Three themes identified through inductive analysis were: 1) ikebana as an avenue to a richer life; 2) transformation of the self through ikebana, and 3) ikebana supports harmony in life. The themes represent qualities of ikebana practice that facilitate ongoing engagement in this and other occupations, and support practitioners' sense of well-being. These findings reinforce the powerful influence of occupation on individual experience and elucidate the reciprocal relationships among meaning, engagement and well-being.