Essential Concepts of Occupational Science for Occupation-Based Practice

Occupational Science Concepts Essential to Occupation-Based Practice

• Backman, C. L., Christiansen, C. H., Hooper, B. R., Pierce, D., & Price, M. P. (2021). Occupational science concepts essential to occupation-based practice: Development of expert consensus. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7506205120. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.049090

Occupation and Wellness, Health, and Well-being:

• "Understanding the mutual relationship of engaging in occupation and health and well-being, and the impact of health, well-being and external factors on engaging in occupation. Produces (or fails to produce) joy, satisfaction, accomplishment." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Social, Cultural, and Institutional Context of Occupation:

• "Broad societal structures and discourses (tacit and overt values in families, communities, institutions) that influence how and when things are done, lifestyles, and how occupations are experienced. Situations are facilitators or barriers for occupation and in turn, influence health, well-being, potential, growth and development. As a transaction between self and situation, occupation is always social, even when performed solo, and affects one’s sense of sense of community, cultural, historical, or global belonging." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupation as Core to Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy:

• "Historical and current conceptions, categorizations, and classifications of occupation as core to the science of everyday life as used in both the discipline of occupational science and the profession of occupational therapy. The importance of understanding form, function, meaning and importance of Consensus Occupational Science Concepts 15 occupation, and its complexities. Awareness of humans as dynamic, intelligent, creating, living, open, and adaptive systems in sustained interaction with their surroundings. Central to occupation-based practice: substantive enough understanding and application of occupation as a therapeutic means and end at individual and population levels." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupational Justice:

• "The human right to access and participate in meaningful occupation that supports well-being and participation in one’s community. Sociopolitical dynamics that provide and deny the human right to engage in meaningful occupation. Consequences of denying/limiting this right results in occupational deprivation/alienation, (otherwise labeled disenfranchisement, disempowerment, disruption, non-sanctioned), and negative impacts, such as despair and hopelessness." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupational Meaning:

• "The value and significance of occupations, as experienced and interpreted by an individual as an occupational being. Includes the contribution of those meanings to development, identity, agency, and transformation." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupation and Identity:

• "Through what we do, we construct, maintain, and express personal and collective identities. Individual and collective identities contribute to our sense of being, belonging, and becoming." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Experience of Doing Occupation:

• "What people do in their daily lives, how they do it, and their reasons for doing it (such as the blend of pleasure, productivity, or restoration; beliefs and motivations, creativity; and adaptation). Focuses on the subjective, embodied, and phenomenological experience of doing and is influenced by capacities for doing. Also described as occupational engagement, participation, performance, or behavior." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Habits, Routines, Patterns:

• "Relatively automatic, repeating patterns that influence how occupations are configured and executed in time; influenced by circadian rhythms and cultural-level rituals; habits and routines influence health; disruption and construction of routine as intervention." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Temporal Nature of Occupation:

• "Occupations occur within the stream of time and are characterized by pace, rhythm, and tempo, and are shaped by chronology and biology. Occupation occurs in temporal patterns, including daily, weekly, and annual. These patterns can be experienced as balanced, overloaded, or empty. Occupation changes over time and links past, present, and future." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupational Balance/Imbalance:

• "Participation across varied types and amounts of occupation and how that pattern is, or is not, perceived as meeting needs, being congruent with values, and influencing satisfaction, health, and well-being. Has potential as an intervention focus." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Spatial Context of Occupation:

• "Locational and experiential sense of space & place as shaped by occupation, from body and immediate personal space to distant real or potential places. Includes human technology and objects, adaptation of spaces, objects necessary for doing occupation, ecology, and health and environment. Spaces can be physical, virtual, attitudinal, and/or metaphorical." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupational Choice & Agency:

• "Intentionality and capacity to choose occupations in the presence of internal and external influences and constraints. Occupational choice can involve taking risk, locus of control, seeking meaning, and/or decision making. Occupational choice expresses and strengthens agency." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Transactionalism in Occupational Science:

• "Understanding occupation as a complex, dynamic interplay among people and their environments and communities. Serves as a basis for an occupational perspective of social transformation, sustainability and social good." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupational Change: 

• "Occupation itself changes, and occupation changes people and communities, through development, learning, competence and skills. Occupation continually evolves through expected life transitions (such as graduation or birth of a child) and the impacts of unexpected events (such as loss or injury). People, communities, and occupational patterns change through choosing and doing particular occupations within shifting micro to macro conditions. Occupation can support and enhance change through development, learning, competence, and skill." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Occupational Opportunity/Potential/ Possibilities:

• "A deeper understanding of occupation as a vehicle for change and development of human potential that is restricted or supported by the constructed nature of social reality, including governmentality, resources, place." (Backman et. al, 2021)

Definition References:

Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process Fourth Edition

• • American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001

Oxford Dictionary of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

• • Molineux, M. (2017). A dictionary of occupational science and occupational therapy (Oxford Quick Reference). OUP Oxford.

Willard and Spackman 2019 Glossary 

• • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Becoming

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The process in which humans constantly engage in order to become all that they can be and want to be, achieved through occupation. One of the trilogy of outcomes/purposes of occupational engagement proposed by Ann Wilcock; doing, being, and becoming. See also belonging.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Wilcock, A. (1998). Reflections on doing, being and becoming. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5), 248–56.

Being

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The state or process in which humans discover themselves, their goals, and priorities that makes them unique. Although it may have no outward signs of occupational engagement, as it is an active process, it is occupational. One of the trilogy of outcomes/purposes of occupational engagement proposed by Ann Wilcock; doing, being, and becoming. See also belonging.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Wilcock, A. (1998). Reflections on doing, being and becoming. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5), 248–56.

Belonging

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The sense of being part of a group, connected to others, that humans require and strive for in order to achieve and maintain health. Initially it was not one of the trilogy of outcomes/purposes of occupational engagement proposed by Ann Wilcock; doing, being, and becoming, but was added later.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Wilcock, A. and Hocking, C. (2015). An Occupational Perspective of Health (third ed.). Thorofare: Slack.

Context

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Construct that constitutes the complete makeup of a person’s life as well as the common and divergent factors that characterize groups and populations. Context includes environmental factors and personal factors” (AOTA, 2020, p. 76)
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Factors that transact with the performance of occupations including personal, physical, cultural, social, spiritual, temporal, and virtual enviroments”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1195)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A situation within which occupational performance and occupational engagement occurs, which is usually external to the individual. Occupations occur within a range of contexts simultaneously and these are labelled differently by different authors and models and may include physical, human, non-human, natural, social, institutional, geographic, organizational, economic, attitudinal, legislative, cultural, political, temporal, virtual, and occupational history. Contexts can support or inhibit occupational performance and occupational engagement, primarily by influencing the person-environment-occupation fit. Just as contexts shape occupations so too are they shaped by occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Contextualism

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “A view in which the person and situation are seen as integrated and cannot be understood separately”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1195)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Co-occupation

• AOTA OTPF4:  “An occupation in which two or more people engage together, although there may be individual differences in the way in which the occupation is active, purposeful, meaningful, contextualized, and impacting on health.” (AOTA, 2020, p. 76)
  • Pickens, N., & Pizur-Barnekow, K. (2009). Co-occupation: Extending the dialogue. Journal of Occupational Science, 16, 151–156. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/14427591.2009.9686656
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “One of ten enablement skills used by occupational therapists which involves bringing together and organizing information, people, or resources to achieve the desired outcome” (Molineux, 2017)

Culture

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The sum total of a way of living, including values, beliefs, standards, linguistic expression, patterns of thinking, behavioral norms, and styles of communication that influence the behavior(s) of a group of people [and] is transmitted from generation to generation.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1196)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The system of meanings and expectations shared within a group of people: family, organization, sporting club, or country. It is passed on between generations and evolves over time. It provides a means by which groups organize themselves, give meaning to experiences, and create beliefs about the world and each other. Culture includes objective aspects such as clothing, architecture, and food, as well as subjective aspects such as values, beliefs, and norms. It is one of several contexts within which humans exist and therefore culture influences and is influenced by occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Disaster

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “A dangerous accidental or uncontrollable situation or event that causes significant environmental destruction, loss of life, and disruption of social structure in daily life routines.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1196)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Discrimination

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Denial of equal treatment to people because of their membership in some group that occurs at many levels including individual, institutional or organizational, or structural.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1196)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Doing

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A generic term for the continual active engagement of humans in occupations. One of the trilogy of outcomes/purposes of occupational engagement proposed by Ann Wilcock; doing, being, and becoming. See also belonging.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Wilcock, A. (1998). Reflections on doing, being and becoming. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5), 248–56.

Empowerment

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1197)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Structuring interaction and providing opportunities for clients to (a) obtain information about their situation, its causes, available strategies, and resources, and (b) become involved in managing their own life, including health condition and services, so that the person can take partial or total control of their affairs. Although an idea that is embedded in occupational therapy, it is contentious. Criticisms include questioning how and why people lose their right to autonomy, the power differential implicit in the idea of professionals enabling empowerment, and the assumption that every person wishes to take responsibility for their health.” (Molineux, 2017)

Engagement in occupation

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Performance of occupations as the result of choice, motivation, and meaning within a supportive context.” (AOTA, 2020, p. 76)

Environment(s)

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Particular physical, social, cultural, economic, and political features within a person's everyday life that affect the motivation, organization, and performance.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1198)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Environmental Adaptation

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “An approach to enabling occupational performance and occupational engagement that focuses on adapting one environment or context, or multiple environments, in which an occupation occurs. Commonly used to refer to changes made to the physical environment, such as installation of grab rails or ramps, but also applicable to changes made to any of the other environments impacting on occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Environmental Barrier

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A feature of an environment or context that inhibits occupational performance and/or occupational engagement. It is commonly used to refer to aspects of the physical environment, such as stairs or door thresholds, but is also applicable to aspects of the other environments impacting on occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Environmental Modification

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Internal and external physical adaptations to environment that are necessary to maximize Independence and to ensure health and safety.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1198)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Environmental Press

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Ability of an environment or context to encourage or require a particular response from a person or group of people.” (Molineux, 2017)

Form (of Occupation)

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The observable features of an occupation such as the sequence of actions in doing an occupation.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1199)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Function (of Occupation)

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “It is what an occupation achieves, such as volunteering for a local service might achieve integration into the community.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1199)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Habits

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Specific, automatic behaviors performed repeatedly, relatively automatically, and with little variation. Habits can be healthy or unhealthy, efficient or inefficient, and supportive or harmful” (AOTA, 2020, p. 77)
  • Dunn, W., McClain, L. H., Brown, C., & Youngstrom, M. J. (1998). The ecology of human performance. In M. E. Neistadt & E. B. Crepeau (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (9th ed., pp. 525–535). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Matuska, K., & Barrett, K. (2019). Patterns of occupations. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed., pp. 212–220). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Acquired tendencies to respond and perform in certain consistent ways in familiar environments or situations; specific, automatic behaviors performed repeatedly, relatively automatically, and with little variation.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1200)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A behaviour which is automatic and so requires little if any conscious planning or execution. Habits are useful when integrated into daily life in ways that facilitate occupational performance and occupational engagement. Habits can inhibit occupational performance and occupational engagement when they dominate an individual’s actions, consume time that could or should be spent in occupations, or when they interfere with relationships. Compare routine, ritual.” (Molineux, 2017)

Health

• AOTA OTPF4:  “State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (AOTA, 2020, p. 77)
  • World Health Organization. (2006). Constitution of the World Health Organization (45th ed.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/governance/eb/ who_constitution_en.pdf

Holism

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A view of humans which proposes that they are complex beings and as such are more than a simple sum of their constituent parts, and so it is inappropriate to consider any aspect of humans or their health in isolation from others. For example, a holistic approach would suggest that in order to understand a person’s response to a physical injury such as a fractured femur, it is necessary to consider the injury from emotional and social perspectives, not just the anatomy and physiology of the broken bone. It is implicit in this view that remediating or compensating for a particular deficit will not necessarily restore the person to a state of health. Compare reductionism” (Molineux, 2017)

Hope

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Real or perceived belief that one can move toward a goal through selected pathways.” (AOTA, 2020, p. 77) 

Imperialism

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas.”
  • Imperialism. (n.d.). In The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperialism

Inclusion

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “State of being able to participate in life activities, often used in relation to removing social and physical obstacles to participation.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1200)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Leisure

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Nonobligatory activity that is intrinsically motivated and engaged in during discretionary time, that is, time not committed to obligatory occupations such as work, self-care, or sleep” (AOTA, 2020, p. 78)
  • Parham, L. D., & Fazio, L. S. (Eds.). (1997). Play in occupational therapy for children. St. Louis: Mosby
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “A transaction characterized by a relative intrinsic, and self-determined extrinsic, motivation; relative internal control; and disengagement from reality; and that is framed in such a way as to separate it from ‘real life’.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1202)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Life Course

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “A term (and a field of study) used to describe the pattern of people's lives in context. It considers the determinants and consequences of social relationships, historical events, and governmental policy for how people live their lives.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1202)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Life Imbalance

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “A state in which one's activity configurations limit or compromise participation in valued relationships; are incongruent for establishing or maintaining physiological health and a satisfactory identity; or are mundane, uninteresting, or unchallenging.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1202)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Macro Level

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The broadest factors from the external environment that affect policy, funding, services, and socio-political influences on the consultation process.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1203)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Maladaptive

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A response to an occupational challenge that is ineffective and so does not support occupational performance or occupational engagement. Compare adaptive” (Molineux, 2017)

Meaning (of and Occupation)

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The significance of an occupation in what is expressed through doing; includes personal, societal, Cultural and historical expressions.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1203)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “An attribute of occupation that refers to worth or significance. Meaning is subjective and so is unique to an individual, but can be influenced by contextual factors, and so can change over time or even be unique to each instance of an occupation. Compare purpose” (Molineux, 2017)

Mezzo Level/Meso Level

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The mid-level factors of the environment external to the client receiving Consultation Services including cultural, physical temporal, and virtual elements.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1203)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Micro Level

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The person, interpersonal factors, cultural, and personal context of the individual receiving Occupational Therapy Services.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1203)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupation

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Everyday personalized activities that people do as individuals, in families, and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life. Occupations can involve the execution of multiple activities for completion and can result in various outcomes. The broad range of occupations is categorized as activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, health management, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation” (AOTA, 2020, p. 79)
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: 
• “1. The experiences of humans which necessitate active engagement, have purpose and meaning, and are contextualized. Occupation is defined differently by different authors within occupational therapy and occupational science, and this variation is due to the still-emerging understanding of it, the complex multifaceted nature of occupation, and the purpose for which it is being defined. Occupation is a process that is manifested in some form of physical or mental (emotional/cognitive) ‘activity’. It is an active process in that it occupies time and space, and requires investment of varying degrees of energy, interest, and attention. Mental and physical doing can exist concurrently or in isolation; an occupation can include one or both facets, and where they both exist within the same occupation the two may not be related. Implicit in the idea of occupation as active engagement is that occupation necessitates the use of our inherent capacities and abilities. The extent and combination of the use of these attributes will not only vary from person to person, but also from occupation to occupation, as well as between different instances of the same occupation. Some effort has gone into differentiating occupations from actions, which are active but lack significant purpose and/or meaning, or are not named in the same way as occupations.
• The purpose of occupation
• All human endeavours have some reason or purpose. In Western cultural contexts those purposes are conveyed by categorizing occupations as self-care, productivity occupation, leisure, and rest occupations. These categories can be further operationalized as showering and dressing (self-care), volunteering at the local hospice (productivity), reading a book (leisure), and sleeping (rest). In contrast to this approach Wilcock has suggested that occupations serve three main purposes. First, occupation provides the means by which humans can meet survival needs such as obtaining food and shelter. Second, occupation induces and enables development of skills necessary for successful living, and provides the means by which these skills are maintained. Finally, Wilcock has argued that occupation prompts and rewards the use of individual capacities so that the organism can flourish, and reach potential. Occupation also serves two purposes for the collective human species: collective development of shared configurations of occupations to enable groups of humans to establish themselves as recognizable communities, and survival of the species. Occupations also serve idiosyncratic or context-related purposes, such as picking a bunch of flowers to please a loved one, weeding a garden to reduce fire risk, or basking in the sun to celebrate the beginning of spring. The purpose of an occupation may also relate to life goals, such as gaining a qualification.
• The meaning of occupation
• Just as occupation has purpose, it always has meaning to the individual engaged in it, and it is often rich with personal and cultural meaning. As a result, while we might be tempted to classify, define, and understand occupation according to its outward appearance, this may overlook its essence. The centrality of meaning in occupation is highlighted by the idea that occupations have meanings that are both unique and dynamic. They are unique because each person makes sense of their existence in an individual manner. The meaning of occupation is also dynamic because just as humans are in a constant state of development, so too is the meaning we ascribe to occupations within our repertoire. Changes in meaning may be due to global conditions, season, culture, available technologies and resources, national identity, behavioural norms and so on, as well as changes in more individual factors including role, relationships, maturation, life stage, financial status, educational attainment, goals, living situation, and any acquired impairment. To fully appreciate engagement in any given occupation, it is crucial to tap into the subjective experience of that engagement. Meaning is what motivates occupational performance and occupational engagement and so it is necessary to appreciate that actual meaning may not be congruent with apparent meaning. Given that the meaning attached to an occupation can be derived from a myriad of sources, it is possible that the easily recognizable source of meaning bears no resemblance to the actual meaning for the individual. Various studies have identified the specific meanings that particular occupations, such as cooking and quilt-making, hold. More recently, a phenomenological study suggested that the meaning of occupation relates to who it is done with (or without), the things individuals care about, and the possibilities that lie within an occupation.
• Occupation is contextualized
• “Humans exist within a multitude of contexts—physical, social, cultural, chronological, developmental, life cycle, disability status, institutional, legal, political, economic, temporal, historical—and these impact on occupation, and occupations can in turn shape the same contexts. The relationship between humans, occupations, and contexts is complex and non-linear. First, occupation is the way in which humans respond, ideally in an adaptive way, to the challenges presented by the environment. To this end, it is necessary to understand the situation that gives rise to a particular occupation if we are to fully comprehend the occupation itself. Second, contexts go beyond merely eliciting occupations; they can facilitate or inhibit the resultant occupations. A final context that must be taken into account when understanding occupation is the occupational history of the individual. It has been suggested that it is through occupations, and the organization of these occupations, that individuals distinguish themselves from others, with each person having a unique occupational history. Furthermore, this history of past occupational engagement influences the form and pattern of future occupational engagement.
• Occupation is human
• While it is acknowledged that all species engage in different forms of doing, it is generally suggested that engagement in occupations is a key characteristic that distinguishes humans from other species. Yerxa exemplified this view by coining the phrase ‘Homo occupacio’ to describe the human species. While this may be nothing more than a case of evolutionary arrogance, the belief that humans alone are occupational is widely held within the literature. Historically occupation was assumed to be a human characteristic and to impact on health. Research has been conducted which does indicate there are different experiences of human engagement, and one of these seems to correlate with the idea of occupation. When humans engage in occupations they report greater enjoyment, perform more accurately, have an increased tolerance for pain. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that occupation impacts on health and ultimately survival." (Molineux, 2017)
  • 2. A specific individual’s personally constructed, non-repeatable experience, as argued by Pierce, an occupational therapist and occupational scientist in the United States, who placed particular weight on the contextual aspect of occupation.
  • Pierce, D. (2001). Untangling occupation and activity. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(2), 138–46.”

• Pierce, D: “An Occupation is a specific individual’s personally constructed, non-repeatable experience. That is, an occupation is a subjective event in perceived temporal, spatial, and social-cultural conditions that are unique to that one-time occurrence. An occupation has a shape, a pace, a beginning and an ending, a shared or solitary aspect, a cultural meaning to the person, and a finite number of other perceived contextual qualities...

  An activity is an idea held in the minds of people and in their shared cultural language. An activity isn't culturally defined in the general class of human actions. The common sense meanings of activities, such as play or cooking, enable us to communicate about generalized categories of Occupational experience and a broad, accessible way. And activity is not experienced by a specific person, it is not observable as An Occurrence, it is not located in a fully existent temporal, spatial, and socio-cultural context.” 

  Pierce, D. Untangling occupation and activity. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 138-146.

Occupational Adaptation

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A process of change that enables humans to make occupational responses to challenges presented by the environments in which they exist. In responding to the challenges individuals are influenced not only by the external environments, but also their internal views of what is expected and what has been effective or otherwise in the past. As a result of the multiple challenges each individual faces over time, they build up a repertoire of adaptive responses which can be used or modified to meet future challenges. It is also a state to which humans aspire, one in which they are effectively making occupational responses to environmental challenges.” (Molineux, 2017)
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Normative internal process that is activated by the individual When approaching and adapting to challenges in life; constructing a positive occupational identity and achieving occupational competence overtime in the context of one's environment.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwe

Occupational Alienation

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The sense of powerlessness, separation from self and others, loss of control, and meaninglessness one experiences when engaging in activities which do not have meaning or purpose, and do not satisfy personal needs. Sustained occupational alienation can result in negative health and well-being outcomes. Although usually applied to the experiences of people in situations such as prison, occupational alienation is a potential risk in any situation where people are required to perform activities, e.g. in large institutions such as schools or health care facilities.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Wilcock, A. and Hocking, C. (2015). An Occupational Perspective of Health (third ed.). Thorofare: Slack.

Occupational Analysis

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Analysis that is performed with an understanding of “the specific situation of the client and therefore [of] the specific occupations the client wants or needs to do in the actual context in which these occupations are performed”” (AOTA, 2020, p. 79)
  • Schell, B. A. B., Gillen, G., Crepeau, E., & Scaffa, M. (2019). Analyzing occupations and activity. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed., pp. 320–333). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Analysis of an occupation that is relevant to an individual within the actual context of performance. Occupational analysis refers to systematically analyzing what and how a person or groups of people actually do an activity.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwe

Occupational Apartheid

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The exclusion of people from opportunities for occupational performance and occupational engagement by society and its systems, due to political affiliation, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, health status, or a range of other characteristics.” (Molineux, 2017)
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Separation between those who have meaningful, useful occupations and those who are deprived of, isolated from, or otherwise constrained in their daily occupations”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Balance

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The extent to which a person’s occupational performance and occupational engagement are equitable, satisfactory, or in harmony from the perspective of the individual. Originally it was believed that there needed to be relatively equitable distribution of time between self-care, productivity, and leisure occupations. There is now growing recognition that occupational balance is more complex. For example, it may be balance between categories of occupation or balance between occupations with different characteristics, and balance may not necessarily be judged based on the amount of time devoted to each type of occupation.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupation-based (and focused practice)

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Characteristic of the best practice method used in occupational therapy, in which the practitioner uses an evaluation process and types of interventions that actively engage the client in occupation” (AOTA, 2020, p. 79)
  • Fisher, A. G., & Marterella, A. (2019). Powerful practice: A model for authentic occupational therapy. Fort Collins, CO: Center for Innovative OT Solutions
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “An approach to intervention that incorporates the real pipe in life interests and activities of the client and typically harness activities naturally occurring in the person's life for therapeutic purposes.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A type of occupational therapy intervention, including assessment and treatment, that uses occupation as the main therapeutic modality, i.e. the therapist engages the client in occupation. A top-down approach to practice would be consistent with occupation-based practice. However, there is debate about the extent to which occupation needs to be the key modality in occupational therapy in order for it to be considered occupation-based. For example, in contrast to the definition provided here some would include provision or assistive devices or home modifications, and counselling and education as legitimate methods within occupation-based practice. Compare occupation-focused practice, occupation-centred practice” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Fisher, A. (2013). Occupation-centred, occupation-based, occupation-focused: Same, same or different? Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 20(3), 162–73.
  • Kielhofner, G. (2009). Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice (fourth ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Occupation-Centered

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Previously used interchangeably with occupation-based practice or occupation-focused practice, but now used more specifically to refer to the way in which an occupational perspective of humans and health is central to occupational therapy, that the prime focus and concern of the profession is occupational performance and occupational engagement. Used in this way it could be said that all occupational therapy practice, whether top-down or bottom-up, or occupation-based/occupation-focused or not, is occupation-centred.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Fisher, A. (2013). Occupation-centred, occupation-based, occupation-focused: Same, same or different? Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 20(3), 162–73.

Occupational Choice

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Determination of meaningful activities based on one’s values; interests and beliefs; social situation; gender and gender identity; age; and physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Competence

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The degree to which one is able to sustain a pattern of occupational participation that reflects one’s occupational identify”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Deprivation

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A reduction in the amount and diversity of opportunities for occupational performance and occupational engagement for an extended period of time. It impacts negatively on health and well-being and may have serious consequences if prolonged. It is generally seen as caused by factors outside the control of the individual such as social structures or stigma, religious practices, political differences, poverty, or geography. There is debate as to whether factors such as illness and injury can cause occupational deprivation given that they are internal to the individual. Nonetheless, they are beyond the control of the individual and can have similar consequences, namely, reduced opportunities for diverse occupational performance and occupational engagement” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Whiteford, G. (2010). Occupational deprivation: Understanding limited participation. In C. Christiansen and E. Townsend (Eds.), Introduction to Occupation: The Art and Science of Living (second ed., pp. 303–28). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Lack of access to engagement in an array of self-selected occupations that have meaning to the individual, family, or community”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Development

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The gradual change in occupational engagement, occupational performance, and occupational identity that occurs over the lifespan as a result of biomedical and psychological development as well as ongoing interactions with the human and non-human environments.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Davis, J. and Polatajko, H. (2006). The occupational development of children. In Rodger, S. and Ziviani, J. (Eds.) Occupational Therapy with Children: Understanding Children’s Occupations and Enabling Participation. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
  • Humphry, R. and Wakeford, L. (2006). An occupation-centered discussion of development and implications for practice. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(3), 258–67.

Occupational Disruption

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The temporary disturbance to an individual’s usual pattern of occupational performance and occupational engagement with associated negative impacts on health and well-being. It can be caused by internal factors, such as temporary illness or injury, or external factors, such as a temporary change to living arrangements, short-term unemployment, social exclusion, or marginalization. Occupational disruption is a temporary experience that resolves once the causal factors have been remediated. Compare occupational deprivation.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Dysadaptation

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Performance problems arising from a mismatch between environmental demands and the person’s motivation or capacity for response.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Engagement 

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “One’s doing, thinking, and feeling under certain environmental conditions in the midst of or as a planned consequence of therapy”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The process and state of participating in an occupation which is more than performance, as it includes the sense of total immersion in the occupation. Compare occupational performance” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Enrichment

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The process whereby deliberate changes are made to restrictive environments to enable more typical occupational performance and occupational engagement. It is a strategy to ameliorate the occupational deprivation which can exist in settings such as prisons, but may be applied to other institutions or non-institutional settings.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Environment

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “One of the three primary elements in the theory of occupational adaptation. In contrast with other environments, the occupational environment calls for an occupational response from the individual in the context of work, play/leisure, or self-maintenance. The contexts are shaped by unique physical, social, and cultural influences”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupation–Environment Fit

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The match between the demands of the occupation and the features of the environment. For example, the occupation of delivering a lecture requires an audience that is quiet and attentive in order to be effective. If the people in the audience, that is the social environment, are talking to each other loudly and speaking on mobile telephones, then the environment is not supportive of the occupation. Occupation–environment fit would therefore be poor, and would limit successful occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Form

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The pre-existing structure that elicits, guides, or structures performance of daily life activities.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “1. The particular circumstances, external to the individual, that stimulate or influence humans to act. Each occupational form comprises physical and sociocultural aspects. 2. The external observable features of an occupation including the stages involved, actions required, and what constitutes quality.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Nelson, D. (1988). Occupation: Form and performance. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 42(10), 633–41.

Occupation-Focused Practice

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A type of occupational therapy intervention, including assessment and treatment, that is concerned with occupation, but may not necessarily involve engaging the client in occupation as the main therapeutic modality. For example, improving joint range of motion with rote exercise or passive range of motion is not occupation-based as the client is not engaging in occupation, but may be occupation-focused as the medium/long-term goal is to enable a return to occupational performance and occupational engagement. Compare occupation-based practice” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupation-Focused Lifestyle Interventions

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “An intervention approach that takes account of the unique constellation of circumstances that comprise a person's everyday life.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
    • Fisher. (2013). Occupation-centred, occupation-based, occupation-focused: Same, same or different? Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 20(3), 162–173. https://doi.org/10.3109/11038128.2012.754492

Occupational History

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “An overview of a person’s occupational performance and occupational engagement up to a specific point in time. It can form part of an assessment process as a way of understanding pre-morbid situations and provide ideas for intervention.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Identity

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Composite sense of who one is and wishes to become as an occupational being generated from one’s history of occupational participation” (AOTA, 2020, p. 79)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Composite sense of who one is and wishes to become as an occupational being generated from one’s history of occupational participation”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The sense people have of themselves as occupational beings, including their preferences and abilities in occupational performance and occupational engagement, in relation to their occupational history, their plans/hopes for the future, and the various contexts in which they exist.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Imbalance

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A variation in the time and energy devoted to different occupations. The imbalance may occur in a number of ways, for example: between self-care, productivity, and leisure occupations; between active and sedentary occupations; between occupations one chooses and those one is obliged to perform; between doing, being, and becoming. While imbalance may be transient, ongoing occupational imbalance is likely to influence health and well-being negatively.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Issue

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A challenge faced by the client with occupational performance and occupational engagement. The aim of assessment in occupational therapy is to identify first the occupational issue(s) faced by the client, and then the cause(s) of each occupational issue. Starting at the occupational issue and then moving to the underlying causes is a feature of top-down approaches.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Injustice

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The infringement of the rights of a person or group of people to have access to opportunities and resources for occupational performance and occupational engagement in order to achieve and maintain health.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Justice

• AOTA OTPF4:  “A justice that recognizes occupational rights to inclusive participation in everyday occupations for all persons in society, regardless of age, ability, gender, social class, or other differences. Occupational justice includes access to and participation in the full range of meaningful and enriching occupations afforded to others, including opportunities for social inclusion and the resources to participate in occupations to satisfy personal, health, and societal needs.” (AOTA, 2020, p. 79)
  • Nilsson, I., & Townsend, E. (2010). Occupational justice—Bridging theory and practice. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 17, 57–63. https://doi.org/10.3109/11038120903287182
  • Townsend, E., & Wilcock, A. A. (2004). Occupational justice and client-centred practice: A dialogue in progress. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 75–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841740407100203
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Concerned with ethical, moral, and civic issues such as equity and fairness for individuals and collectives, specific to engagement in diverse and meaningful occupation that is inclusive of ‘doing, being, belonging, and becoming”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The recognition that all humans have a right to engage in a wide range of occupations in order to achieve and maintain health, and so social and political systems should be structured in ways to provide opportunities and resources for occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Knowledge

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The experimental, observational, and investigatory information acquired by occupational therapy practitioners to understand the form, function, and meaning of engaging in occupations for individuals and society.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Nature of Humans

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The innate need humans have to engage in and manage occupations, and the complex relationship between occupation, health, and survival. A core foundation of the Contemporary Paradigm and alternative perspective on humans and health to the biomedical model that is unique to occupational therapy.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Wilcock, A. and Hocking, C. (2015). An Occupational Perspective of Health (third ed.). Thorofare: Slack.

Occupational Orchestration

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The capacity Of individuals to enact their occupations on a daily basis to meet their own needs and the expectations of many environment in which they are required to function. This may include attention to habits and routines and the interface of these with the needs and expectations of others.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1205)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Participation

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Engagement and work, play, or activities of daily living that are part of one's social-cultural context and that are desired and/or necessary to one's well-being.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Patterns

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Habits, routines, rules, and rituals used in the process of engaging and occupations or activities.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Performance

• AOTA OTPF4:  “Accomplishment of the selected occupation resulting from the dynamic transaction among the client, their context, and the occupation.” (AOTA, 2020, p. 80)

Occupational Possibilities

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Refers to the ways through which accessing and engaging in occupations come to be viewed as ideal and are supported and promoted by broader systems and structures through a specific socio-historical context.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Those occupations which are sanctioned, valued, and made possible within a particular sociocultural context.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Profile

• AOTA OTPF4:“Summary of the client’s occupational history and experiences, patterns of daily living, interests, values, needs, and relevant contexts” (AOTA, 2020, p. 80)
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “A summary of information that describes the client’s occupational history and experiences, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Rights

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Ethical, moral, and civic issues such as equity and fairness for both individuals and collectives specific to engagement in diverse and meaningful occupation.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Occupational Risk Factors

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Influences that have the potential to impact negatively on the ability to perform and engage in occupation(s) or to reap the health benefits of occupation(s). These might include occupational imbalance, occupational alienation, occupational disruption, occupational deprivation.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Science

• AOTA OTPF4:“Way of thinking that enables an understanding of occupation, the occupational nature of humans, the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing, and the influences that shape occupation” (AOTA, 2020, p. 80)
  • World Federation of Occupational Therapists. (2012b). Occupational science [Position statement]. Retrieved from https://www.wfot.org/ resources/occupational-science
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “The study of the things people do: interdisciplinary academic discipline in the social and behavioral Sciences dedicated to the study of the form, the function, and meaning of human occupations.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The study of humans as occupational beings and the relationship between occupation and health. The need for occupational science was recognized as early as the start of the twentieth century when the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy outlined two of its key objectives as the study of the effects of occupation on humans, and the dissemination of that knowledge. However, due to the pressures experienced by the occupational therapy profession throughout its history since that organization was formed, those two objectives were not given much attention.
• The field was not named occupational science until the end of the 1980s when the department of occupational therapy at the University of Southern California established a new programme, doctor of philosophy in occupational science. The programme was founded as academics in the department recognized the need for a science of occupation, a science that would investigate occupation as a human experience and the relationship between occupation and health and ill-health. Notably the field is not limited to understanding individuals or groups with existing health conditions or illnesses. In its attempts to understand human occupation as a human experience that is vital for health, much research seeks to understand the phenomenon in healthy populations. Given the nature of occupation, it was seen as an interdisciplinary field encompassing multiple paradigms in order to understand the complexity of occupation and health. Notably the new discipline was initially envisaged as one that was distinct from occupational therapy, although it was seen as fundamental to future development of the profession. Indeed, occupational science was first described as a basic science which would serve the applied science of occupational therapy. This distinction is now not as apparent given that some occupational science research focuses on occupation-based interventions.
• Although occupational science has developed throughout the world and there are now journals, books, conferences, undergraduate and postgraduate courses devoted to the topic, its development has not been without controversy. Since it was first named, and continuing to the present day, the existence and need for occupational science have been questioned and debated. Critics argue, for example, that occupational science will divert resources and scholars away from occupational therapy, or that occupational science is not necessary as research into occupation and health is the domain of occupational therapy. Despite this continuing debate the benefits of occupational science have been recognized, even by those who are critical of the field. It has been suggested, for example, that the field will provide support for the practice of occupational therapists, deepen our understanding of human beings, and the achievement and maintenance of health and well-being, distinguish occupational therapy from other professions, and provide new insights into many of the issues facing communities, societies, and the world.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Molineux, M. and Whiteford, G. (2011). Occupational science: Genesis, evolution and future contribution. In E. Duncan (Ed.), Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy (fifth ed., pp. 245–55). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Molke, D., Polatajko, H., and Laliberte Rudman, D. (2004). The promise of occupational science: A developmental assessment of an emerging academic discipline. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(5), 269–80.
  • Yerxa, E., Clark, F., Jackson, J., Parham, D., Pierce, D., Stein, C., and Zemke, R. (1989). An introduction to occupational science, a foundation for occupational therapy in the 21st century. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 6(4), 1–17.
  • http://www.isoccsci.org/ International Society for Occupational Science—includes links to the majority of occupational science organizations around the world

Occupational Story-Making

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The therapeutic strategy of creating experiences in which clients sees themselves as competent occupational beings with a positive future. These stories are seldom verbalized, but may be. Compare occupational storytelling”
  • Clark, F. (1993). Occupation embedded in a real life: Interweaving occupational science and occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47(12), 1067–78.
  • Clark, F., Ennevor, B., and Richardson, P. (1996). A grounded theory of techniques for occupational storytelling and occupational story-making. In R. Zemke and F. Clark (Eds.), Occupational Science: The Evolving Discipline (pp. 373–92). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Occupational Storytelling

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Process of a client sharing their experience of occupational performance and occupational engagement by telling stories about occupation, either as part of the assessment process or during any stage of the occupational therapy process. Compare occupational story-making” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Clark, F. (1993). Occupation embedded in a real life: Interweaving occupational science and occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47(12), 1067–78.
  • Clark, F., Ennevor, B., and Richardson, P. (1996). A grounded theory of techniques for occupational storytelling and occupational storymaking. In R. Zemke and F. Clark (Eds.), Occupational Science: The Evolving Discipline (pp. 373–92). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Occupational Therapy

• AOTA OTPF4:“Therapeutic use of everyday life occupations with persons, groups, or populations (i.e., clients) for the purpose of enhancing or enabling participation. Occupational therapy practitioners use their knowledge of the transactional relationship among the person, their engagement in valued occupations, and the context to design occupation-based intervention plans. Occupational therapy services are provided for habilitation, rehabilitation, and promotion of health and wellness for clients with disability- and non-disability-related needs. Services promote acquisition and preservation of occupational identity for those who have or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, disease, disorder, condition, impairment, disability, activity limitation, or participation restriction” (AOTA, 2020, p. 80)
  • American Occupational Therapy Association. (2011). Definition of occupational therapy practice for the AOTA Model Practice Act. Retrieved from http://www.aota.org/∼/media/Corporate/Files/Advocacy/State/ Resources/PracticeAct/Model%20Definition%20of%20OT%20Practice %20%20Adopted%2041411.pdf
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A profession concerned with enabling individuals, groups, communities, and societies to achieve and maintain health through occupation. Occupational therapy enables people to participate in the range of occupations that are appropriate to that individual or group. Occupational therapists consider the full range of factors which impact on the ability to engage in occupation, such as the skills and abilities of the person, the characteristics of the occupation, and/or the various contexts impacting on the person/group or occupation. Occupational therapy has traditionally been located within health, educational, and social care systems but is beginning to contribute beyond these traditional boundaries.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • World Federation of Occupational Therapists International Advisory Group: Occupational Science. (2004). Definition of occupational therapy. Unpublished document produced for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
  • http://www.wfot.org World Federation of Occupational Therapists—includes links to the majority of occupational therapy organizations around the world

Occupational Therapy Process

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “The sequence of tasks an occupational therapist undertakes when interacting with a client. It is a problem-solving process and as such has much in common with the processes followed by other professions. The distinguishing feature is the focus on the occupational issues of the client and the development of strategies that are occupation-based. Although often presented as a linear process, in practice the occupational therapy process is usually a fluid and flexible process in which the therapist moves between stages and may even complete different stages simultaneously. At its simplest the occupational therapy process includes assessment, intervention planning, intervention implementation, evaluation, and discharge. It can be further delineated to include referral, screening, identification of occupational issues, assessment of causes of occupational issues, prioritization of occupational issues, agreement of goals and objectives, intervention planning, intervention implementation, evaluation of achievement of goals and objectives, revision of occupational issues, and discharge from occupational therapy.” (Molineux, 2017)

Occupational Transition

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Major change in the occupational repertoire of a person in which one or several occupations change, disappear, and/or are replaced by others.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1206)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Participation

• AOTA OTPF4:“Involvement in a life situation”  (AOTA, 2020, p. 81)
  • World Health Organization. (2001). International classification of functioning, disability and health. Geneva: Author.
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Involvement in life situations (e.g., self-care tasks, domestic life, education, employment, social, and civic life). Participation encompasses passive participation (e.g. Observing others or listening). Occupational therapists generally include additional elements such as the meaning of participation and people's subjective experience of participating.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1207)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Person-Occupation Fit

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “How the individual’s abilities, capacities, body structures, and functions enable them to meet the demands of a particular occupation. For example, a person who is having difficulties concentrating due to depression may be having difficulty engaging in their work occupations if they require a high level of concentration such as quality control on a production line. Person-environment fit would therefore be poor, and would limit successful occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Physical Context

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “One context within which occupational performance and occupational engagement occur. Physical context includes the built and natural aspects of the world that influence, and are influenced by, occupational performance and occupational engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)

Physical Environment

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Natural and built non-human surroundings and objects in them. The natural environment includes Geographic terrain, plants, and animals as well as the sensory qualities of the natural surroundings. The built environment includes buildings, furniture, tools, and devices.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1207)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Place

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Any environmental locus that gathers individual or group meanings, intentions, and actions spatially; infusion of the human and natural order in any significance spatial center of a person or groups lived experience; see also: life world.”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1207)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Play

• AOTA OTPF4:“Active engagement in an activity that is intrinsically motivated, internally controlled, and freely chosen and that may include the suspension of reality. Play includes participation in a broad range of experiences including but not limited to exploration, humor, fantasy, risk, contest, and celebrations. Play is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that is shaped by sociocultural factors” (AOTA, 2020, p. 81)
  • Skard, G., & Bundy, A. (2008). Test of Playfulness. In L. D. Parham & L. Fazio (Eds.), Play in occupational therapy for children (2nd ed., pp. 71–93). St. Louis: Mosby. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-032302954-4.10004-2
  • Eberle, S. G. (2014). The elements of play: Toward a philosophy and a definition of play. American Journal of Play, 6, 214–233.
  • Sutton-Smith, B. (2009). The ambiguity of play. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Lynch, H., Hayes, N., & Ryan, S. (2016). Exploring socio-cultural influences on infant play occupations in Irish home environments. Journal of Occupational Science, 23, 352–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591. 2015.1080181

Play and Leisure Experience

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Subjective experience, personal meaning, and satisfaction with experience related to play and Leisure performance.”(Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1207)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Population Health 

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Health outcomes of a group or individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group; and approach to health that aims to improve the health of an entire human population.”(Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1208)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Proto Occupations

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Activities of non-human primates which although they might appear similar to human occupation, are said to be less complex due primarily to a lack of symbolic meaning.” (Molineux, 2017)

Public Health

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Protecting and promoting the health and safety of communities through a range of methods such as education, research, and policy development.” (Molineux, 2017)

Public Policy Level 

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Local, state, and federal policies, laws, and programs that regulate, support, and/or constrained desired occupational performance and or participation and impact health.”(Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1209)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Rituals

• AOTA OTPF4:“For persons: Sets of symbolic actions with spiritual, cultural, or social meaning contributing to the client’s identity and reinforcing values and beliefs. Rituals have a strong affective component. For groups and populations: Shared social actions with traditional, emotional, purposive, and technological meaning contributing to values and beliefs within the group or population”  (AOTA, 2020, p. 82)
  • Fiese, B. H. (2007). Routines and rituals: Opportunities for participation in family health. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 27(Suppl. 1), 41S–49S. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492070270S106
  • Fiese, B. H., Tomcho, T. J., Douglas, M., Josephs, K., Poltrock, S., & Baker, T. (2002). A review of 50 years of research on naturally occurring family routines and rituals: Cause for celebration. Journal of Family Psychology, 16, 381–390. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.16.4.381
  • Segal, R. (2004). Family routines and rituals: A context for occupational therapy interventions. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58, 499–508. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.58.5.499
• Willard and Spackman (2019):“Symbolic actions with spiritual, cultural, or social meaning contributing to the client's identity and reinforcing values and beliefs; have a strong effective component and consists of a collection of events.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1210)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “An action or series of actions which holds particular personal, social, cultural, or religious meaning. Although the action(s) may appear to resemble another occupation, they are different due to the symbolic nature they assume for the individual or within the particular sociocultural context. Rituals usually contribute positively to an individual’s health and well-being, but can also interfere with occupational performance and occupational engagement when they consume large amounts of time and effort, or when the symbolism is linked to idiosyncratic belief systems, possibly due to a mental health disorder. Compare habit, routine” (Molineux, 2017)

Roles

• AOTA OTPF4:“For persons: Sets of behaviors expected by society and shaped by culture and context that may be further conceptualized and defined by the client. For groups and populations: Sets of behaviors by the group or population expected by society and shaped by culture and context that may be further conceptualized and defined by the group or population.”  (AOTA, 2020, p. 82)
• Willard and Spackman (2019):“A set of socially agreed-on behavioral expectations, rights, and responsibilities for a specific position or status in a group or in society. These may be further conceptualized and defined by individuals enacting the roles.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1210)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “1. A sociological term for a socially recognized set of behaviours, rights and responsibilities, and obligations. 2. A collection of occupations that an individual engages in due to social expectations.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Harvey, A. and Pentland, W. (2010). What do people do? In C. Christiansen and E. Townsend (Eds.), Introduction to Occupation: The Art and Science of Living (second ed., pp. 101–33). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

Role Balance

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Effectively managing the demands associated with numerous roles.” (Molineux, 2017)

Role Competence

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Ability to fulfil the requirements of a role and thereby meet the expectations of that role.” (Molineux, 2017)

Role Dysfunction

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Difficulties in fulfilling the demands and expectations of a role.” (Molineux, 2017)

Role Loss

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Loss of a role, and potentially the associated occupations, due to, for example, illness, injury, social exclusion, marginalization, or transition.” (Molineux, 2017)

Routines

• AOTA OTPF4:“For persons, groups, and populations: Patterns of behavior that are observable, regular, and repetitive and that provide structure for daily life. They can be satisfying and promoting or damaging. Routines require a momentary time commitment and are embedded in cultural and ecological contexts”  (AOTA, 2020, p. 82)
  • Fiese, B. H., Tomcho, T. J., Douglas, M., Josephs, K., Poltrock, S., & Baker, T. (2002). A review of 50 years of research on naturally occurring family routines and rituals: Cause for celebration. Journal of Family Psychology, 16, 381–390. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.16.4.381
  • Segal, R. (2004). Family routines and rituals: A context for occupational therapy interventions. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58, 499–508. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.58.5.499
• Willard and Spackman (2019):“A type of higher-order habit that involves sequencing and combining processes, procedures, steps, or occupation and provide a structure for daily life.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1210)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A pattern of behaviour that is observable and is repeated on a regular basis. Routines can support health and well-being by providing a structure to occupational performance and occupational engagement, for individuals or groups of people. They can also have negative effects when they dominate an individual’s days and are given priority over other occupations or people. Compare habit, ritual.” (Molineux, 2017)

Situated Activities

• Willard and Spackman (2019):“This concept calls for the study of activities in the real-life context and examination of the practices of social institutions were activities occur naturally. To understand situated activities, the practitioner pays special attention to the innovative solutions that unfold as the activities are carried out in a particular context.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1210)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Social Environment/Context

• Willard and Spackman (2019):“Particular social features (i.e., social groups and occupational tasks) of the specific context in which one does something that impacts on what one does and how it is done.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1207)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “One context within which occupational performance and occupational engagement occur. Social context includes the individuals and groups of people that influence, and are influenced by, occupational performance and occupational engagement. This may be directly because the person is interacting with other people, and/or indirectly because the person is influenced by the expectations of other people.” (Molineux, 2017)

Social Health

• Willard and Spackman (2019):“Having a standard of living adequate for health and wellbeing, with equal rights to work, to free choice of employment; to rest, Leisure, and holidays; to participate in the cultural life of a community; to the Arts and scientific advancements; to take part in national government; into education directed to the full development of the human personality.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1212)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Social Inequality

• Willard and Spackman (2019):“Unequal rewards and opportunities that accrue to different individuals and groups, particularly rewards and opportunities that are judged to be unfair, unjust, avoidable, and unnecessary; often link to unequal distribution of economic assets and power within a society.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1212)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Social Justice

• Willard and Spackman (2019):“Ethical distribution and sharing of resources, rights, and responsibilities between people recognizing their equal worth as citizens.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1212)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A perspective on the development and structure of society and its components that focuses on equality and human rights. Social justice is achieved when all members of society can have human rights recognized and access the benefits of their society so that they can realize their potential. Compare occupational justice” (Molineux, 2017)

Social Structures

• Willard and Spackman (2019):“Distinctive, stable arrangements of Institutions whereby human beings in a society interact and live together.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1212)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Specialize

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “One of ten enablement skills used by occupational therapists which involves the use of specialist techniques when they are relevant to that particular situation. Examples include positioning, neurodevelopmental techniques, psychosocial interventions, ergonomic techniques, hand therapy, and sensory integration.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Townsend, E. and Polatajko, H. (Eds.). (2013). Enabling occupation II: Advancing an occupational therapy vision for health, well-being, and justice through occupation (second ed.). Ottawa: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Spirituality

• AOTA OTPF4:“Deep experience of meaning brought about by engaging in occupations that involve the enacting of personal values and beliefs, reflection, and intention within a supportive contextual environment. It is important to recognize spirituality as dynamic and often evolving” (AOTA, 2020, p. 83)
  • Billock, C. (2005). Delving into the center: Women’s lived experience of spirituality through occupation (Publication No. AAT 3219812) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Southern California]. Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
  • Humbert, T. K. (2016). Addressing spirituality in occupational therapy. In T. K. Humbert (Ed.), Spirituality and occupational therapy: A model for practice and research. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “An aspect of human existence which is characterized by an individual’s search for meaning and to answer fundamental questions about right and wrong, and the origin and purpose of life. For some, spirituality will have a religious form but it might also be secular or sacred. The impact of spirituality on occupation has gained increasing attention in occupational therapy and is, for example, the central element of the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement.” (Molineux, 2017)
  • Unruh, A., Versnel, J., and Kerr, N. (2004). Spirituality in the context of occupation: A theory to practice application. In M. Molineux (Ed.), Occupation for Occupational Therapists (pp. 32–45). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

Symbolic Meaning

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “Significance attributed to an object or experience, such as an occupation, that goes beyond the literal and obvious. For example, cooking a meal for a loved one might symbolize an individual’s desire to care for their partner, and as such it goes beyond the obvious purpose of preparing food for sustenance. It has been suggested that the human ability and tendency to attribute meaning to occupation is what distinguishes them from other species.” (Molineux, 2017)
• Willard and Spackman (2019):“A deep experience of meaning brought about by engaging and occupations that involve the enacting personal values and beliefs, reflection, and intention within a supportive contextual environment.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1213)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Systems Approach

• Willard and Spackman (2019):“Views the properties of the “whole”, or system, as a rising from interactions and relationships among the parts.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1214)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Theory

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “An organized body of concepts and relationships that seeks to explain and predict a phenomenon.” (Molineux, 2017)

Time Use 

• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A field of social science research concerned with how humans allocate their time during parts of the day, whole days, or longer periods of time. It is of interest to occupational therapists as it provides a useful insight into the time people spend engaging in occupations. The activity configuration is one occupational therapy assessment that captures rudimentary time use data.” (Molineux, 2017)

Transaction

• AOTA OTPF4:“Process that involves two or more individuals or elements that reciprocally and continually influence and affect one another through the ongoing relationship” (AOTA, 2020, p. 83)
  • Dickie, V., Cutchin, M., & Humphry, R. (2006). Occupation as transactional experience: A critique of individualism in occupational science. Journal of Occupational Science, 13, 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2006.9686573

Transactional Perspective of Occupations

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Offered as an alternative to individualism that presumes the person is separate from life situations; a transactional way of thinking sees interrelated elements where occupations forms relationships between the person and life situations. The idea is compatible with contextualism”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1214)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Transactional Process

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Where people. the physical space, time, and objects interconnect to form a functional whole”  (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1214)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Volition

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Pattern of thoughts and feelings about oneself as an actor in one's world that occurs as one anticipates, chooses, experiences, and interprets what one does.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1215)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer

Well-being

• AOTA OTPF4:“General term encompassing the total universe of human life domains, including physical, mental, and social aspects, that make up what can be called a ‘good life” (AOTA, 2020, p. 84)
  • World Health Organization. (2006). Constitution of the World Health Organization (45th ed.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/governance/eb/ who_constitution_en.pdf
• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Implies that basic survival needs are met and encompasses ideas such as health, happiness, and prosperity.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1215)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
• Oxford Dictionary of OS & OT: “A holistic view of the health of individuals and groups of people that goes beyond a biomedical perspective and includes multiple dimensions such as physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, and environmental. It is generally used to refer to a subjective experience rather than a state that can be readily measured objectively. As such it can also capture a person’s sense of how well they feel their life is at a point in time.” (Molineux, 2017)

Worldview

• Willard and Spackman (2019): “Cognitive, perceptual, and effective maps developed throughout a lifetime through socialization, which are used to make sense of the social landscape and develop goals.” (Schell & Gillen, 2019, p. 1215)
  • Schell, B. A. B., & Gillen, G. (2019). Glossary. In B. A. B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard and Spackman’s occupational therapy (13th ed. pp. 1191–1215). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer