A cross-cultural investigation of occupational role

The occuptaional behavior approach has been proposed as a generic frame of reference for occupational therapy, yet it has not specifically addressed the influence of cultural variation on its theory base. This article critically investigates the concept of occupational role, one of its central concepts, from a cross-cultural point of view. The literature on role theory and on Hispanic and Anglo-American values is reviewed. A study which described the occupational role enactment of a physically disabled Colombian adolescent female using the life history methos is then discussed in terms of this literature. Finally, cultural implications for theory development in this area are identified.