Prerequisites for Strengthening the Human Agency in Rehabilitative Work Activities
Keywords:
human agency, empowerment, rehabilitative work activities, institutional ethnographyAbstract
In this research article, it´s asked, how human agency of the participants can be strengthened in rehabilitative work activities. The methodological starting point is institutional ethnography. Ethnographical research material consists thematic interviews and field diaries based on participatory observation. The research material was analysed by content analysis. The modality theory of the human agency was applied as a framework for the analysis. Research results demonstrates, the tension between social integration and emancipation. Research findings deepens understanding, how empowerment relates to the motivation,
commitment, the need for rehabilitative activities and expected future horizonts. However, the emancipatory elements of rehabilitative work activities remain scarce. This is due to participants’ narrowed expectations of the future, limited time-period in rehabilitative work activities and lack of positive transitions offered by welfare service system.
