What Do Orthodox Jewish Mothers Know About Occupational Therapy’s Role Supporting Maternal Health and Needs?

Few studies capture Orthodox Jewish mothers’ awareness of occupational therapy’s (OT) role in supporting their complex needs. This study explored Orthodox Jewish mothers’ knowledge of OT’s potential role in supporting their distinct maternal wellness and needs. The study recruited a convenience sample at an urban motherhood center. Likert-type-style survey questions provided quantitative information (N = 36), analyzed via descriptive statistics; in-person focus groups yielded qualitative content (N = 10), thematically analyzed. Most mothers perceived utility of pediatric OT. Fewer than half had knowledge of OT with adults/mothers. Mothers generally reported strong health and role-capacity in surveys, yet qualitative themes included misconception about OT’s scope, challenges in occupational balance and lack of self-care. Orthodox Jewish mothers were unfamiliar with OT’s role in supporting mothers/adults. Poor occupational balance and limitations in self-care were identified. Research limitations included a small/specific sample size and potential researcher biases.