Understanding the Theories and Frameworks That Guide Occupational Therapy Practice With Black Populations: A Scoping...

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Public health
• Social sciences

Background:

• The occupational therapy profession globally has overlooked the impact of anti-Black racism on therapeutic services.
• While discussions on race have increased, few studies examine the theoretical and methodological frameworks guiding occupational therapy practitioners working with Black populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze available theoretical and methodological frameworks for occupational therapy practitioners serving Black populations.
• To address gaps in research and practice concerning anti-Black racism in occupational therapy.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using multiple databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, SCIELO, Web of Science, Scopus).
• Searches covered articles published in English and Portuguese from 2013 to 2024.
• Review procedures followed Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and PRISMA-ScR guidelines to identify relevant frameworks.

Main Results:

• Forty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria.
• Identified themes included: humanities and social sciences frameworks, occupation-centered approaches, addressing systemic inequalities through collective occupations and intersectionality, and incorporating Black epistemologies.
• Methodological approaches relevant to working with Black populations were also analyzed.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy practitioners should adopt antiracist approaches, guided by counterhegemonic and decolonial frameworks when working with Black populations.
• There is a need for more research to assess the effectiveness and limitations of these frameworks.
• The review highlights pathways for action to meet the needs of Black populations through an antiracist lens.