A theory of occupational agency: an international investigation of occupational therapists’ negotiations

Perryman-Fox, Michelle, Morris, Karen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9272-4994 , Cox, Diane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2691-6423 , Taylor, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4113-3857 and Stoffel, Virginia (2022) A theory of occupational agency: an international investigation of occupational therapists’ negotiations. In: 18th World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress: Occupational R-Evolution, 28-31 August 2022, Paris, France. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Introduction: This paper will discuss the development and outcome of PhD research. It highlights the theoretical grounding of occupational agency and the performance profile as a tool for practice.

Objectives: To explore the negotiations of the occupational therapist and highlight the consequences to their identity, role, occupation, health and wellbeing.

Method / Approach: To embed the voice(s) of the participants, a constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted. Three data generations were conducted with 14 participants in three international countries. The data generation methods used were interviews, focus groups, observations and researcher memos. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was gained.

Results and Practice Implications: An exploratory theory was constructed; “Occupational Agency, The Hope to Live Coherently”. The theory identifies with the process of: 1) the internal system of the occupational therapist, 2) their occupational agency, meaning, the negotiation of their values, habits, roles, routines, meaning and perception of their occupational engagement, 3) how they perceived the external structures which were either a barrier or facilitator to their occupation, and 4) the consequences of their continued negotiations. The theory highlights the interaction between the context and the therapist. It identifies with the dynamic and shifting identity, role, and occupation, of the occupational therapist within the health care system and specifies how the performance profile can be used for personal and professional development.

Conclusion: The theory of occupational agency and the performance profile provide an opportunity to occupationally r-evolutionise the occupation of the occupational therapist within practice, education and research.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Departments:	Institute of Health > Urgent and Primary Care
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2022 10:34
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2024 13:46
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/6597

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