Occupational balance of Spanish occupational therapist – a challengeShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, ISSN 1103-8128, E-ISSN 1651-2014, Vol. 30, no 4, p. 444-451Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Sustainable development
Sustainable Development, 3. Good health and well-being
Abstract [en]
BACKGROUND: Occupational balance is a central aspect in occupational therapy. Awareness of occupational balance/imbalance among occupational therapists could influence the orientation of their professional interventions.
OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the occupational balance status of occupational therapists working in Spain.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study using an online questionnaire. Participants were occupational therapists working in Spain who answered a questionnaire including 22 questions on the sociodemographic and employment data and the Spanish version of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-E) ranging 0-65 where higher ratings equal better occupational balance.
RESULTS: A total of 648 currently working occupational therapists participated. Mostly women, with median age of 32 years, without partner, children, or dependents. The median OBQ-E was 37 (IQR = 27; 45). Statistically significant differences were found between the medians of participants varying in the categories 'hired as an occupational therapist', weekly work hours, and population working with children and adults.
CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Spanish occupational therapists presented a moderate occupational balance that varied between subgroups. Professional recognition, working hours, and the population they attend are aspects that influence their occupational balance. Knowledge of occupational therapists' occupational balance could contribute to the development of policies aimed at promoting it.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2023. Vol. 30, no 4, p. 444-451
Keywords [en]
Employment characteristics, occupational therapy, professional identity, working life
National Category
Occupational Therapy
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-58912DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2022.2145994ISI: 000884243500001PubMedID: 36379230Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85142266088Local ID: ;intsam;1711372OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-58912DiVA, id: diva2:1711372
2022-11-162022-11-162023-04-18Bibliographically approved