Rehabilitation hospitals serve to foster a client’s independence in preparation to return home after an injury or insult. Having space in rehabilitation environments that is home-like and supportive for each client can facilitate participation in occupations and assist in learning and practicing the skills needed to transition to home. Yet, typically occupational therapists provide interventions to clients in therapy gyms with exercise and impairment based equipment. Currently the stroke population is changing and identifying the optimal rehabilitation environment is imperative to guide occupational therapy practice. This dissertation contains three studies relating to the rehabilitation environment and occupational therapy interventions. The first study focused on the perceptions of occupational therapists regarding their optimal rehabilitation environment, identifying that they would prefer to offer their clients a variety of rehabilitation environments and that there is a relationship between the environment and the type of intervention provided. A second study examined the effects of occupation-based interventions provided in a home-like environment to an individual recovering from chronic stroke with the results indicating enhanced occupational performance, resumed competence in desired roles, improvement in affected upper extremity function, and notable neuroplastic change. The final study investigated how the rehabilitation environment influenced the interventions used by the occupational therapists. The findings supported the relationship between the therapy environment and a specific intervention; working in the therapy gym with preparatory methods and being in a home-like space using occupation-based interventions. The environment influenced occupational therapy interventions and it is recommended that the occupational therapist match the client’s goals to the ideal environment for optimal intervention.

One of the biggest challenges facing the South African prison system today is the phenomenon of recidivism (repeat offences). In ninety four percent of all cases offenders re-engage in criminal activities after they have been released from prison. This means that the majority of prisons in South Africa are ineffective in terms of rehabilitating offenders during their time in prison. The contribution of this research revolves around an analysis of the rehabilitation arrangements that are prescribed by the DCS to all Government correctional institutions (prisons). The Groenpunt maximum security prison is used as a case study to establish why rehabilitation is ineffective and to identify ways and means to reduce recidivism. In this regard the rehabilitation arrangements at Groenpunt maximum security prison is measured against the prescribed governmental rehabilitation arrangements. The following main findings (problem areas) emerged out of this research: • At Groenpunt maximum security prison the prescribed governmental prescriptions for rehabilitation are not being adhered to; and • Participation in rehabilitation programmes is not compulsory for offenders at Groenpunt maximum security prison. The above trends render rehabilitation ineffective and stimulate recidivism upon release. In order to rectify the above situation the research highlights specific shortcomings in the rehabilitation arrangements of Groenpunt maximum security prison that needs to be rectified in order to reduce recidivism. This boils down to the development of an individual needs based approach to rehabilitation and making participation in rehabilitation programmes compulsory for all offenders. It is further envisaged that the recommendations relating to Groenpunt maximum security prison can also be applied to other prisons in order to reduce the rate of recidivism in all South African prisons. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

One of the biggest challenges facing the South African prison system today is the phenomenon of recidivism (repeat offences). In ninety four percent of all cases offenders re-engage in criminal activities after they have been released from prison. This means that the majority of prisons in South Africa are ineffective in terms of rehabilitating offenders during their time in prison. The contribution of this research revolves around an analysis of the rehabilitation arrangements that are prescribed by the DCS to all Government correctional institutions (prisons). The Groenpunt maximum security prison is used as a case study to establish why rehabilitation is ineffective and to identify ways and means to reduce recidivism. In this regard the rehabilitation arrangements at Groenpunt maximum security prison is measured against the prescribed governmental rehabilitation arrangements. The following main findings (problem areas) emerged out of this research: • At Groenpunt maximum security prison the prescribed governmental prescriptions for rehabilitation are not being adhered to; and • Participation in rehabilitation programmes is not compulsory for offenders at Groenpunt maximum security prison. The above trends render rehabilitation ineffective and stimulate recidivism upon release. In order to rectify the above situation the research highlights specific shortcomings in the rehabilitation arrangements of Groenpunt maximum security prison that needs to be rectified in order to reduce recidivism. This boils down to the development of an individual needs based approach to rehabilitation and making participation in rehabilitation programmes compulsory for all offenders. It is further envisaged that the recommendations relating to Groenpunt maximum security prison can also be applied to other prisons in order to reduce the rate of recidivism in all South African prisons. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-151).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-125).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1970. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1974. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 256-267).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1967. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes special report study entitled : Water : a sensory mediator in architecture. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.