Fostering Change Through Occupation-Based Intervention: An International Joint Group Concept Mapping Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Science
• Intervention Research

Background:

• Occupation-based interventions require clearer frameworks for fostering change.
• Systematic approaches are needed to define the role of occupation in therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically determine the requirements for using occupation to foster change in interventions.
• To generate a conceptual model from the insights of occupational scholars.

Main Methods:

• Group Concept Mapping methodology was employed, involving idea generation, statement structuring, data analysis, and model development.
• Fifty-two international occupational scholars contributed to brainstorming 125 ideas.

Main Results:

• A cluster rating map with nine clusters formed the basis for a conceptual model.
• The conceptual model comprises seven themes: artful use of occupation, evidence-based use, collaboration, intervention fit, client factors, sociocultural context, and structural influences.

Conclusions:

• The developed conceptual model outlines the dimensions and dynamics essential for leveraging occupation to drive change.
• This model can inform and guide future research endeavors in occupation-based interventions.