OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE: CONSTRUCTS AND STRUCTURE

Consistent with other existing and evolving models in occupational therapy (Fisher, Murray & Bundy, 1991; Keilhofner, 1995; King, 1978; Llorens, 1976, 1984a; Mosey, 1981, 1986; Reilly, 1974), the primary focus of this model is the lifelong person-environment relationship and its activation through occupation (West, 1984).

Eight major constructs form the theoretical structure of this model. These are occupational performance, occupational performance roles, occupational performance areas, components of occupational performance, core elements of occupational performance, environment, space and time. Each of these constructs incorporates many interrelating elements.

In addressing a person-environment-performance relationship, the structural framework of the model considers the interactions between two environments relative to occupation: a person’s internal environment and the external environment (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Relationship between the Internal and External Environment of Occupational Performance
The internal environment is composed of the aggregate structures, conditions and influences pertaining to occupational performance that are found within humans. In this model they include the constructs labeled occupational performance roles, occupational performance areas, occupational performance components, core elements of occupational performance and aspects of time and space. The external environment is composed of structures, conditions and influences that are outside the internal environment and within which occupations are performed. The external environment has sensory, physical, social and cultural dimensions that exist in time and space.

Structurally, occupational performance is viewed as an interactive system composed of aspects of the internal and external environment. All constructs within the system are interdependent in that the processes occurring between them form an ongoing dialogue within and between the two environments. This dialogue occurs within the context of space and time. April, 1997, Monograph 1 4 The interpretations of constructs in this model are made from two perspectives. One is an interpretation relative to the performance of occupations, and can be used to describe and classify the performance of human occupations. The other is an interpretation of the same constructs relative to the performer, and can be used to describe people as occupational beings.