Occupational identity in occupational therapy: A concept analysis

Abstract

Background: The concept of occupational identity has become an important focus within occupational science and occupational therapy, drawing both recognition and inquiry. Even if the concept is highly relevant for understanding the occupational nature of human beings, ambiguity regarding the identification and application of occupational identity exists. Aim: This analysis aimed to clarify the concept of occupational identity by examining its current use and application within occupational therapy. Materials and methods: Walker and Avant's method for concept analysis was utilized to clarify the concept of occupational identity. Results: Analysis resulted in three distinct categories of use: occupational identity construction, occupational identity discrepancy and occupational identity disruption, described contextually in terms of the self being, the self being and doing, and the self being and doing with others. Conclusions: Findings validated the significant connection between occupation and identity through doing, being and future becoming. Also uncovered were considerable connections to belonging. Significance: Occupational identity encompassed complex connections comprising both individual and collective components. Personally meaningful expression and connection were of particular significance to occupational identity as discrepancies or disruption of meaningful connections had negative implications for occupational engagement.

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“…Por lo tanto, la identidad ocupacional entiende la relación entre lo que las personas hacen y cómo esto afecta a la percepción de sí mismas; sumado a esto, la ocupación puede abarcar esto que las personas realizan, de forma en que la vida se extiende a través del tiempo y espacio por medio de ocupaciones significativas (Ocasio et al, 2022).…”

Approaches to sexuality in childhood from occupational therapy

“…Therefore, occupational identity understands the relationship between what people do and how this affects their perception of themselves; added to this, occupation can encompass what people do, so that life extends through time and space through meaningful occupations (Ocasio et al, 2022).…”

An exploration into the occupational identity of women following breast cancer and treatment: A qualitative study

“…The occupational disruption caused by chronic illness has been documented to impact occupational identity (Nizzero Cote and Cramm, 2017). Occupational identity is a central concept to understanding humans as occupational beings (Hansson et al, 2022). Based on the seminal work by Christiansen (1999), who asserted that occupation is key to creating and maintaining an identity, Kielhofner (2008) proposed occupational identity in the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) as: ‘a composite of self of who one is and wishes to become as an occupational being generated from one’s history of occupational participation’ (p. 106).…”