Definition of occupation as the core concept of occupational therapy.

I n 1979, the Representative Assembly of the American Occupation:Ji Therapy Association adopted Resolution 53279, with resulting Policy 1.12, "Occupation as the Common Core of Occupational Therapy.·· The purpose of this paper is to clarify the use of the term occupation. Occupation is defined as the active or "doing" process of a person engaged in goal-directeJ, intrinsically gratifying, and culturally appropriate activity. The founders and early piOneers in occupation:lI therapy conceptualized occupation as an essential part of human nature that is manifeSted by active participation in selfmaintenance, work, leisure, play, :lJ1d rest (Meyer, 1977)_ Engaging in occupation facilitates skills in these areas. Adopting occupation as the core concept of occupational therapy is a con· firmation and commitment to the original mission and purpose of the profession. Setting forth some basic propositions about the meaning of occupation clarifies this concept and provides a framework for fu nher exploration and testing. Central to the formulation of statements about occupation are the concepts of hierarchy, developmental sequence, biopsychosocial unity, and adaptive capacities.