Occupational Dysfunctional.

Occupational Dysfunctional
OCCUPATIONAL DYSFUNCTIONAL
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Occupational Dysfunctional
Occupational Dysfunctional
Introduction
Osteoarthritis refers to a type of arthritis that arises as a result of swelling, cessation and loss
of tendon in the joints as shared by Morrison (2017). This disease is progressive in nature and
its symptoms usually worsen over time. On the other hand, moderate depression is a mental
condition that affects the daily life of an individual as highlighted by Legg (2017). This paper
seeks to focus on a case study where an individual by the name George suffers from
Osteoarthritis and moderate depression. The paper will point out the impact of two symptoms
in each of the mentioned disease on George playing chess because George is a chess player.
Physical condition
According to Fries (2014), Osteoarthritis is considered as the most common type of arthritis
that leads to disability. One of its main symptom as suggested by Cooper (2010) is pain.
According to Jia and Jackson (2016), pain causes functionality impairment among the
individuals suffering from Osteoarthritis. Therefore, in the case of George, the outcome of
pain will be difficulty in playing chess thus his role in playing chess will lose its meaning.
This is because when playing chess, the players sit down and certain body parts are normally
utilized while playing the game. As such, since the pain usually affect different parts of the
body such as hips, fingers, knees and feet as suggested by Minnis (2018), the performance of
George will be affected. Therefore, if for example George feels pain on his knees, he will
have difficulty playing chess for long hours because it will be hard to concentrate while
experiencing the pain. Sitting will also be a problem later on thus George will not be in a
position to play chess. As pointed out in the case study, when George moved to a residential
home, playing chess became difficult because his partner could not travel to the residential
home. However, one of the care staff had informed George about another resident who was

Occupational Dysfunctional
interested in playing the game in a small lounge that was at the far end of the corridor. In as
much as George had missed playing chess, it would be impossible for him to walk to the
lounge because the joints of his knees had been affected thus he was experiencing pain in his
knees. In addition to that, according to Andrade et al.,( 2016), pain also affects the
functionality of fingers and hands as a whole. The case study shares that the hands of George
had been affected by Osteoarthritis. That implies that George felt pain in his hands whenever
he took part in any activity that involved using his hands. Therefore, since playing chess as
suggested by Soltis (2019), involves using hands while making moves on the board, it will be
difficult for George to enjoy playing the game. The board is normally a representation of a
battlefield whereby two armies are supposed to fight so that they can capture each other’s
king. Therefore, the players usually alternate moves.
The other major symptom of osteoarthritis is stiffness. As pointed out by Hughes (2018),
joint stiffness is among the earliest signs of arthritis. It is usually caused by inflammation in
the lining of the joint. Joint stiffness is normally the discomfort experienced over long
periods of inactivity such as sitting for long periods and waking up in the morning. Reduced
range of motion is also another contributing factor of joint stiffness. Joint stiffness usually
make individuals to feel lazy and slow in that they are normally tempted to go back to bed as
suggested by Minnis (2017). Regarding the case study, the productivity of George in playing
chess will be hindered by stiffness because by considering the distance to the lounge, George
will be discouraged to play the game and there is the likelihood that he will spend most of his
time in bed due to poor mobility that is caused by stiffness. Additionally, stiffness will impact
heavily on George’s occupational performance in playing chess because there will be reduced
mobility since every individual in the residential care has his room. As pointed out by
Morrison (2017), when the stiffness is mild, it usually impact on the mobility of the
individual for a short period but in the event that it becomes severe, it normally affects the

Occupational Dysfunctional
general mobility of the individual. In other cases, stiffness is usually accompanied by
inflammation and pain. Therefore, in the case of George, it will be difficult for him to enjoy
playing chess with the other resident since the area set aside for playing the game is far from
his room and due to stiffness, walking will be strenuous because his hip joints have been
affected by Osteoarthritis. In addition to that, since George suffers from knee and hip
osteoarthritis, his physical performance in playing chess will be affected majorly due to
restricted movement as shared by Edwards et al., (2014).
Mental Health Condition
One of the symptom of moderate depression is lack of concentration. As pointed out by
Steger and Kashdan (2009), moderate depression contribute to real difficulties with domestic
activities and social activities. Therefore, in the case of George, moderate depression is likely
to lead to poor concentration when playing chess. This symptom will have a negative impact
because chess is a type of game that requires high levels of concentration. As shared by
Scimia (2018), chess is governed by specific rules that players should be conversant with
when playing the game. Players are expected to comprehend majority of the important rules
for them to confidently take part in a tournament or a casual chess game as pointed out by
Pete (2014). One of the rules is about touching chess pieces. This rule states that when a
player touches a piece on the board, he/she must move that piece. The rule is known as touch-
move rule. The same rule requires players to capture the piece of their opponents in the event
that they touch their pieces. Therefore, in the case of George who loves playing chess,
moderate depression will affect his performance in the game. In as much as George could be
conversant with the rules, a symptom such as poor concentration will hinder him from
playing the game perfectly. In addition to that, playing chess requires concentration because
the player need to strategize the manner in which he/she will make the moves on the board as
well as keep tabs with the movements made by their opponents. Therefore, if for example

Occupational Dysfunctional
George was to put into consideration the suggestion offered by one of the care staff regarding
a resident who is interested in playing chess, the game would probably become boring due to
lack of concentration on the part of George. George would likely interrupt the game by
bringing up conversations as a way of getting to know his new chess partner.
The other symptom is lack of interest. As pointed out by Keegan, (2018), loss of interest in
favourite activities is one of the symptoms of moderate depression. Individuals with moderate
depression usually show signs of lack of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed.
This symptom is evident in the case of George. This is because George loved playing chess
yet after moving to a residential home, he stopped playing the game despite being encouraged
by the staff to play the game with a resident who also loved playing chess. The reluctance of
George in playing the game with the other resident indicates that he no longer has the interest
of playing chess. If George had his interest intact as before, he would have made the effort of
approaching the other resident without minding the distance between his room and the lounge
where the game is played. In addition to that, George would have seized the opportunity
presented to him, especially now that it is clear to him that his neighbour John cannot get a
bus to the residential home and there is no one to take him there as well. Therefore, the lack
of interest in playing chess may hinder George from enjoying the benefits of playing the
game. Some of the benefits of playing chess as shared by Savage (2012) include exercising
both sides of the brain. This is because playing chess involves utilizing both sides of the
mind. The left side handles object recognition while the right side of the mind handles pattern
recognition. Therefore, the rules governing the game play a key role in developing and
exercising both sides of the brain. Furthermore, chess helps in building self-confidence. As
such, by lacking the interest of playing the game, George might lose the opportunity of
building his self-confidence. Additionally, since playing chess requires mental effort, the
game assists in improving communication and cognitive skills of the players.

Occupational Dysfunctional
Activity Analysis
Playing chess is an activity that requires the involvement of two participants. Both men and
women play the game. However, in the case of George, it will be difficult for him to enjoy
playing the game because his relocation to the residential home separated him from his friend
John with whom they used to play friendly chess games. In addition to that, it appears that the
distance from the residential home and George’s previous home is far thus making it difficult
for John to visit because according to the case study, John cannot get a bus to the residential
home. Secondly, chess is a game that requires certain specific tools. The game is played using
a chess set that comprises sixteen pieces for each participant and a board. In the case of
George, while he was moving to the residential home, he misplaced his chess set which
according to him was his lucky chess set. Therefore, in as much as he would love to play the
game with another resident in the residential home, it may not be accorded the enthusiasm
that used to be there prior to moving to the residential home. This is because he will be using
a different chess set that is new to him. Thirdly, chess is played while sitting. The participants
can sit upright or lean on the surface where the chess board is placed such as the table.
Therefore, regarding the case of George, it seems that he may not be in a position to sit
upright while playing the game because the joints of his shoulders have been affected by the
spread of the symptoms of Osteoarthritis and by moving to a residential home, it implies that
his condition is serious. Furthermore, while playing chess, movement is always involved. The
type of movement utilized while playing the game is abduction. This is because fingers are
usually used in moving the pieces away from the body. Due to the condition of George, his
role in playing chess will be somehow lost because his hands have also been affected by the
spread of Osteoarthritis. Additionally, prior to losing his chess set, he had difficulty picking
the small pieces on the set. The game also requires high levels of endurance because the

Occupational Dysfunctional
participants have to take their time thinking about the moves that they should make. As such,
it will be difficult for George to endure for long hours while playing the game because his hip
and knee joints have been impaired by the spread of Osteoarthritis. Other requirements of the
game include motor skills and interpersonal skills. In terms of motor skills, both sides of the
brain are usually utilized because the participants have to recognize objects and patterns.
Social skills such as interpersonal skills are normally applicable when playing friendly chess
games as it is in the case of George. As such, George will find it hard to play with another
individual now that he moved to a residential home hence his occupational performance in
playing chess will be jeopardized. The game also requires high concentration levels
something that George lacks currently due to suffering from moderate depression.
Furthermore, based on Person-Environment-Occupation model, change in environment
affects the performance of an individual, Law (1996). Therefore, by George being in a new
environment, he will not dedicate his time in playing chess as before.
Conclusion
The sections above have put into perspective the symptoms of Osteoarthritis and moderate
depression that are affecting the performance of George in playing chess. According to Croft
(2018),the symptoms include pain, stiffness, poor concentration and lack of interest in the
hobbies that were previously enjoyed by the individual. Additionally, the occupational
performance of George in playing chess was affected by the change of environment and by
him losing his favourite chess set.

Occupational Dysfunctional
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