The concept of occupational balance in occupational therapy – a literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55707/jhs.v13i1.194Keywords:
occupation science, occupation patterns, concept definitionAbstract
Occupational balance is a fundamental concept in occupational therapy, relating to health, well-being, and daily functioning. A scoping literature review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The search was conducted in the CINAHL Ultimate, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Fifteen articles published between 2017 and 2025 were included in the final analysis. The studies address occupational balance in the context of mental health, work and daily life, lifestyle changes, social exclusion, and life transitions. It is defined as a subjective, multidimensional, and dynamic experience. Occupational therapy interventions in this area include structured programmes, group sessions, occupational analysis, lifestyle reflection, and routine establishment. Occupational balance plays an important role in contemporary occupational therapy. The need to combine the user’s subjective experience with the occupational therapist’s objective professional judgement, and to conduct further longitudinal research on occupational balance as a predictor of health and well-being is emphasised.
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