4th Edition

Theoretical Basis of Occupational Therapy

By Mary Ann McColl Copyright 2025
    240 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    240 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The fourth edition of this popular student-friendly textbook provides a thorough and detailed exploration of the key theoretical approaches that inform occupational therapy in the 21st century. It provides a comprehensive overview of how occupation can be used therapeutically, and of both the determinants and consequences of occupation.

    The book uses the familiar filing cabinet metaphor to offer an easily digestible classification system for theoretical ideas in occupation therapy. It also includes historical perspectives on how these key theories evolved, as well as enlightening commentary of the latest theoretical developments. Links to practice are highlighted throughout with extensive examples and case studies. Fully updated with key occupation-focused models, the fourth edition also features a new chapter on the most influential theorists in the field.

    Including illustrative figures and student activities to help develop a fuller understanding, this is an essential textbook for anyone studying occupational therapy or occupational science.

    I. INTRODUCTION

    1. What is theory?
    2. Knowledge needed to be an occupational therapist
    3. Occupation and occupational performance problems
    4. The complexity of occupation
    5. The consequences of occupation
    6. The occupational therapy filing cabinet
    7. Conceptual models in the filing cabinet
    8. Models of practice in the filing cabinet
    9. The filing cabinet in action
    10. II. THE DETERMINANTS OF OCCUPATION

    11. The socio-cultural determinants of occupation
    12. The psychological-emotional determinants of occupation (with Terry Krupa)
    13. The physical determinants of occupation (with Briano DiRezze and Tara Packham)
    14. The cognitive-neurological determinants of occupation (with Setareh Ghahari)
    15. The environmental determinants of occupation (with Mary Law)
    16. Review of determinants of occupation
    17. III. OCCUPATION-FOCUSED MODELS

    18. Model of Human Occupation
    19. Occupational Adaptation
    20. Ecology of Human Performance
    21. Six descriptive models of occupation, person, and environment
    22. Review of occupation-focused models
    23. IV. LIVES AND TIMES IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THEORY

    24. LIVES – Eight people who changed how we think about occupation
    25. TIMES – Occupation in the 20th century and beyond (with Penny Bryden)
    26. Conclusion

    Biography

    Mary Ann McColl, PhD, MTS, is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Health Services and the Policy Research Institute at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.