Toward an Image of One's Own: Sources of Variation in the Role of Occupational Therapists in Psychosocial Practice

Abstract

Two notable characteristics of current psychosocial occupational therapy practice are ideological conflict and unclear or inconsistent role definitions Because professional education can contribute to or alleviate ideological conflict, this study proposed an educational needs assessment that would examine relationships between predominant ideologies in psychosocial practice and therapists' corresponding treatment activities The study surveyed therapists across the United States and found that there was a widespread prevalence of occupational behavior practices, despite the subjects' claims of differing ideologies Although all therapists were affected by their work environment, the therapists adhering to the occupational behavior ideology were less affected by the environment in shaping their roles according to professional beliefs.