Social Determinants of Occupational Balance in Emerging Adults

Emerging adults frequently face challenges in achieving occupational balance due to economic instability, social pressures, and unequal access to resources, particularly in structurally unequal societies. This study investigates the associations between social determinants and occupational balance among emerging adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 312 university students aged 18 to 25. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Human Development Index-Districts (HDI-D), and the Turkish Occupational Balance Questionnaire-11 (OBQ11-T). Multiple linear regression analysis yielded a significant model (p < .001) explaining 30.8% of the variance in occupational balance. Higher family allowance, scholarship income, social engagement, male gender, and residence in high-HDI-D were positively associated with occupational balance, whereas older age, single-parent household background, and smoking or alcohol use were negatively associated. The findings suggest that occupational balance in emerging adulthood is associated with broader social determinants, beyond individual characteristics, highlighting the need to address systemic inequalities when designing interventions.