2004/12/01 by Karen Whalley Hammell · 4 citations
Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility #Innovative Education and Learning Practices #Occupational Therapy Practice and Research
paper · doi:10.1177/000841740407100509
crossref issued 2004/12/01 · crossref published 2004/12/01 · crossref published-online 2004/12/01 · crossref published-print 2004/12/01 · openalex publication_date 2004/12/01 · crossref created 2013/03/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref deposited 2026/04/28 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
BACKGROUND: According to the existential philosophers, meaning, purpose and choice are necessary for quality of life. Qualitative researchers exploring the perspectives of people who have experienced health crises have also identified the need for meaning, purpose and choice following life disruptions. Although espousing the importance of meaning in occupation, occupational therapy theory has been primarily preoccupied with purposeful occupations and thus appears inadequate to address issues of meaning within people's lives. PURPOSE: This paper proposes that the fundamental orientation of occupational therapy should be the contributions that occupation makes to meaning in people's lives, furthering the suggestion that occupation might be viewed as comprising dimensions of meaning: doing, being, belonging and becoming. Drawing upon perspectives and research from philosophers, social scientists and occupational therapists, this paper will argue for a renewed understanding of occupation in terms of dimensions of meaning rather than as divisible activities of self-care, productivity and leisure. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Focusing on meaningful, rather than purposeful occupations more closely aligns the profession with its espoused aspiration to enable the enhancement of quality of life.