Research Information System
Gazi Journal of Health Sciences, vol.10, no.1, pp.22-32, 2025 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has a significant impact on occupational participation, particularly in adolescents, by limiting motivation, routines and social roles. Few studies have examined the impact of GAD on adolescents' occupational performance using occupational therapy models. The aim of this study was to use the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) to explore occupational participation limitations in adolescents with GAD and to identify factors that facilitate or hinder participation. A total of 42 adolescents, including 21 adolescents diagnosed with GAD and 21 healthy controls, aged between 12 and 18 years, participated in the study. Data were collected through synchronous online interviews using MOHOST to assess motivation, occupational patterns, process skills, motor skills and environmental factors. Statistical analysis was used to compare groups and explore relationships between key variables. Adolescents with GAD had significantly lower total MOHOST scores compared to healthy controls (p<0.001). Subscale scores, including motivation for occupation, patterns of occupation, process skills, motor skills and environmental factors were also significantly lower in the GAD group (p<0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between environmental factors such as limited physical and social resources and occupational motivation and participation (r=0.621, p=0.014). Adolescents with GAD experience substantial occupational participation limitations, driven by both personal and environmental factors. The findings suggest that individualized and environmentally-informed interventions in occupational therapy may be effective in enhancing adolescents' motivation, organizing their daily routines, and supporting their social roles. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of such interventions on adolescents with GAD.