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Purpose in Life as an Explicit Outcome of Occupational Therapy
Mary Vining Radomski1, Mattie Anheluk2, Ginger Carroll3
1Mary Vining Radomski, PhD, OTR/L, is Senior Scientific Adviser, Courage Kenny Research, Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN; mary.radomski@allina.com.
Summary
Occupational therapy can enhance health and well-being by integrating purpose in life into practice. Addressing disruptions in purpose through client interventions can help individuals reconnect with meaningful occupations.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences
- Occupational Therapy
- Psychology
Background:
- Purpose in life is crucial for health and well-being.
- Occupational therapy utilizes occupations to promote health.
- The concept of purpose in life is underrepresented in occupational therapy literature and professional documents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for the explicit inclusion of purpose in life as an intervention outcome in occupational therapy.
- To encourage the occupational therapy profession to address disruptions in purpose in life within clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Review of occupational therapy literature and professional documents.
- Conceptual analysis of the relationship between occupation and purpose in life.
- Proposal for integrating purpose in life into occupational therapy practice and education.
Main Results:
- The term 'purpose in life' is largely absent from key occupational therapy resources.
- Occupations are intrinsically linked to fostering a sense of purpose.
- There is a significant opportunity for occupational therapy to address clients' needs for purpose.
Conclusions:
- Occupational therapy should explicitly incorporate purpose in life into its practice domain and intervention outcomes.
- Professionals should foster purpose in their own lives and discuss it with colleagues and students.
- Addressing purpose disruptions can enhance client well-being and leverage the power of occupation.
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