Abstract
Background.
The concept of occupational balance has always been important to occupational therapists and occupational scientists, but it is often interpreted differently by professionals, particularly in relation to practice.
Purpose.
This study focused on the understanding of occupational balance of a group of experienced occupational therapists who held positions at the time in Iran.
Method.
A preliminary qualitative study from within an interpretive paradigm was employed. A focus group was used for data collection, and the data were analyzed using thematic networks analysis in relation to occupational science concepts.
Findings.
Four organizing themes were uncovered: integrity in being, equilibrium in doing, contentedness in becoming, and harmony in belonging. The global theme of “fluidity” describes the dynamic nature of occupational balance.
Implications.
The concept of occupational balance needs to be further explored in different communities. Identifying similarities and differences in its meaning and application will inform culturally relevant client-centred education and practice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
