Occupational Therapy, Health and Wellbeing
The occupational therapy perspective of occupation, health and wellbeing
To be able to participate in one 's own life, to do the things we want to do, and to competently perform the activities that form part of our daily, weekly or monthly routines, is a common goal for most people. This not only includes taking part in the basic activities of self-care, such as grooming and dressing, but also extends to our work and leisure activities. It is through doing things that we learn and develop as human beings. The occupational therapy profession believes that being prevented or hindered in some way from participating in the activities that are important to us could adversely affect our health and wellbeing.
Health is a complex term to define because it not only means different things to different people, but is a dynamic process that changes throughout our lives (Seedhouse, 2001). It changes between people of different age groups, different genders, different cultures and different abilities (Wilcock, 2006). With so many different perspectives, it is easy to see why health is a difficult concept to define. The World Health Organisation defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (as cited in Seedhouse, 2001. p41). This definition shows that health issues are not only concerned with disease and the physical functioning of the body, but also include a person’s state of mind and the environment and communities within which they live. In western society, health is usually linked to autonomy, the more freedom a person has to make choices and to independently participate in life, the greater their health is perceived to be (Seedhouse, 2001).
Wellbeing is slightly different to health in that it has wider meaning. It is a very personal and subjective feeling that a person has about themselves, a feeling of being content or at peace (Crepeau et al, 2009). Feelings of
To be able to participate in one 's own life, to do the things we want to do, and to competently perform the activities that form part of our daily, weekly or monthly routines, is a common goal for most people. This not only includes taking part in the basic activities of self-care, such as grooming and dressing, but also extends to our work and leisure activities. It is through doing things that we learn and develop as human beings. The occupational therapy profession believes that being prevented or hindered in some way from participating in the activities that are important to us could adversely affect our health and wellbeing.
Health is a complex term to define because it not only means different things to different people, but is a dynamic process that changes throughout our lives (Seedhouse, 2001). It changes between people of different age groups, different genders, different cultures and different abilities (Wilcock, 2006). With so many different perspectives, it is easy to see why health is a difficult concept to define. The World Health Organisation defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (as cited in Seedhouse, 2001. p41). This definition shows that health issues are not only concerned with disease and the physical functioning of the body, but also include a person’s state of mind and the environment and communities within which they live. In western society, health is usually linked to autonomy, the more freedom a person has to make choices and to independently participate in life, the greater their health is perceived to be (Seedhouse, 2001).
Wellbeing is slightly different to health in that it has wider meaning. It is a very personal and subjective feeling that a person has about themselves, a feeling of being content or at peace (Crepeau et al, 2009). Feelings of
References: Chistiansen, C.H. and Baum, C.M. (1997). Occupational Therapy: enabling function and well-being. Second Edition. Thorofare: SLACK Creek, J (2003) Occupational therapy defined as a complex intervention. London: College of Occupational Therapists Creek, J (2010) Culturally and socially significant activity Crepeau, E.B., Cohn, E.S. and Schell, B.A.B. (eds) (2009) Willard and Spackman 's Occupational Therapy. Eleventh Edition. Philapelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Kielhofner, G. (2008) (Ed) Model of Human Occupation. Fourth Edition. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Kramer, P., Hinojosa, J Seedhouse, D. (2001) Health : the foundations for achievement. Second Edtion. Chichester: Wiley Townsend, E.A. and Polatajko, H.J. (2007) Enabling occupation II: Advancing an occupational therapy vision for health, well-being, and justice through occupation. Ottawa: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Turpin, M Wilcock, A. (2001) Occupation for Health. Volume 1(a). British College of Occupational Therapists