Occupational Science Foundations

human agency

ways through which we express, shape, and even transform our identities and

environments; through occupation individuals exercise their capacity for decision-making, creativity, and control over their lives

• individual and collective agency

intentional action and self determination

Every act is a deliberate expression of who we are; these actions are how we take control and make choices that reflect our values, interests, and goal

self expression and identity formation

Our occupations are deeply intertwined with how we see ourselves

and how we want others to see us

social and environmental impact

Points to the broader influence our actions can have on our

communities and environments. We use our occupations to exert influence, shape social norms, and contribute to collective well-being

adaption and problem solving

The capacity to choose and adapt our occupations allows us to

navigate life's challenges. “Adaptive capacity” allows us to exercise human agency

occupational identity

How individuals perceive themselves based on their occupational roles, activities, and experiences

self definition through occupation

Individuals often define who they are based on the roles they assume and the occupations they engage in

continuity and coherence

• A stable occupational identity involves a steady narrative about oneself that persists over time

• This narrative helps maintain a sense of continuity even amid life transitions, allowing a person to feel consistent in their identity despite changes

meaningful enhancement

Occupations provide a framework through which individuals derive purpose and meaning, which contributes to life satisfaction

motivation and fulfillment

Intrinsic rewards obtained from engaging in meaningful activities feed back into one’s sense of identity, validating personal choice and commitment

skill and mastery

• The perception of one’s competence in performing tasks is essential to consider

• Developing and refining skills through occupation not only bolsters self-efficacy but also solidifies the image of oneself as capable and effectiv

feedback and reflection

Successful engagement in an occupation reinforces one’s identity, while challenges or disruptions (such as injury or unemployment) may compel a re-evaluation or reconstruction of identity

contextual and relational identity

• Occupational identity is deeply linked to social and cultural contexts

• The roles one occupies are influenced by societal expectations and cultural norms, and these roles often define how individuals relate to their communities

belonging and recognition

Being recognized and validated by others in one’s occupational roles supports a positive occupational identity

goal setting and aspirations

• A dynamic occupational identity includes not just who one is but also who one aspires to become.

• This future orientation allows for adaptation and growth, making identity a fluid process that evolves with new experiences and aspirations

adaptation to change

Occupational identity is not fixed; it is reconstructed through life’s various stages and transitions, reflecting changes in career, personal circumstances, or emerging interests

co-occupation

used to describe when more than one person is engaged in an occupation

features of co-occupation

• physicality

• emotionality

• intentionality

• meaning

dark side of occupations

occupations that are “left in the shadows” or occupations that have not traditionally been explored, examined, or understood by OT practitioners

• Coined by Rebecca “Bex” Twinley

• meaning occupations can have two sides

Occupational beings

• All people do something all the time; dependent on people’s “doings”

• Some occupations are necessary or obligatory, and some are chosen for particular purposes

how humans use occupation

• fulfill basic human needs

• develop and exercise genetically inherited capacities

• meet sociocultural needs and to contribute to and feel comfort and acceptance

• adapt to environmental conditions and environmental change

homeostasis

Engaging in occupation helps maintain a balance between our internal physiology and external environmental demands.

tempo

The pace and rhythm with which occupations are performed

temporality

The broader, lived experience of time in our occupational lives

• ex. goal setting

occupation

• Cannot be explained through focus on a single level (subsystem) of the human

• Must be studied within the context of both the immediate environment and the person’s history

• Driven by the human’s desire for efficacy and competency

• Although it may be observed as behavior, cannot be fully understood without consideration of its significance to the individual

sociopolitical

• Of, relating to, or involving a combination of social and political factors

• Something influenced by social attitudes and political policies

ex. health/insurance coverage for mental health services, various human rights

social issues

Issue recognized by society that prevents society from functioning at an optimal level

• Examples: poverty, homelessness, unemployment, discrimination (gender, race, immigrant status), abuse, crime, health care availability

political issues

Activities associated with governance and making decisions via power relations

• Examples: those in leadership positions do not stand up or represent people with mental illness, who pays vs. who benefits, individuals with pre-existing conditions priced out of insurance

social factors

• education

• socioeconomic status/income

• employment status

• working conditions

• social support

• availability and access to services

• quality of food and housing

• lifestyle (values, preferences)

• transportation

• language and/ or literacy barriers

sociopolitical factors

• sexism

• racism

• ageism

• abelism

• occupation (job/career)

• immigration status

• poverty

occupational potential

human capacity to engage in meaningful occupations

• people’s capacity to do what is required and what they have

the opportunity to do, to become the people they have the

potential to be

characteristics of occupational potential

• Evolves over time

• Is unique and unpredictable for each person

• Views fulfillment as the realization of inherent capacities and the satisfaction of needs (spiritual, material, etc.)

micro level- individual

contained systems:

• individuals

• families

• relationships

meso level- groups & communities

• neighborhood

• school

• local organizations

• communities

• groups of people

macro level- systemic issues

• healthcare systems

• policy

• law & legislation

• political subsystems

• international association

family occupations

represent meaningful engagement with more than one family member that contribute to health, well-being, and interrelationships among members

• Concept of interdependence