The Use of Occupational Adaptation in Research: A Scoping Review

The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe how occupational adaptation has been used in different research studies published from 1992 to 2015 and to identify possible gaps in study design. Four categories of studies were identified: those focused on understanding how occupational adaptation occurs in different life situations and different health conditions, those focused on the use of occupational adaptation as a guide or model in organizing the occupational therapy process, and those using occupational adaptation as a part of instrument development. Several gaps in research are evident including updating the theory development on occupational adaptation, types of maladaptation, studies conducted in less affluent countries, quantitative studies with robust designs, inclusion of men and younger persons as subjects, vulnerable groups, health promotion, and community settings.