Objective/Background: In this study, we classified the psychological adjustments of family members of terminal cancer patients using a conceptual structure based on recurring cases. We hypothesised that it is possible to determine the need for intervention on the basis of the occupational performance patterns of the family members.

Methods: The subjects were bereaved family members of cancer patients who died more than a year ago. For our classification system, we adopted code matrix analysis using MAXQDA10 analysis software.

Results: We categorised the 9 cases into 3 types on the basis of functionality with regard to occupation: i) type of continued occupation; ii) type of resumed occupation; iii) type of interrupted occupation.

Conclusions: The categorisation of occupational types assumes that occupation has an effect on the family members' ability to progress through or alter mental states according to occupational performance patterns.