Developing the transactional perspective of occupation for communities: “How well are we doing together?”

Abstract

ABSTRACTResearchers in occupational science have begun to study occupation from a perspective beyond the individual. Previous occupation-based theory and literature, principally developed from the perspective of individual experience, has not offered sufficient theoretical foundation for this new scope of study. A need for theory and language that support further investigation in emerging scholarly and practice areas such as structural injustices, immigration, and community development is clear. The objective of this paper is to utilize philosophical perspectives of John Dewey to further develop the transactional perspective of occupation to address this need. A potential way forward for occupational scientists in studying these complex phenomena is uncovered by using Dewey’s understanding of associated living. A ground map for characterizing communal occupation is suggested. Concepts of private and public acts proposed by Dewey exemplify the manner in which occupational scientists can use real, identifiable consequences to understand occupation on an associated level. This development will complement theoretical and methodological work currently being undertaken by occupational scientists and benefit the development of new and often overlooked areas of study for the discipline. Ultimately, it will facilitate scholarship that can contribute to resolution of challenges faced by contemporary communities, allowing occupational scientists to study phenomena such as unifying occupation, stigmatizing occupation, or occupation that contributes to structural justice.