Human development through occupation: theoretical frameworks in contemporary occupational therapy practice, part 1.

In 1968, the report of a conference sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association called for the development of an integrated theory of occupational therapy. A review of the practical problems faced by therapists today, contrasted with major developments in the art and science of the field during the past decade, suggests that this goal has not been attained. However, three major theoretical frameworks for therapy have evolved through the work of Fidler and Mosey, Wilbarger, and Llorens, who participated in the conference on theory. Reilly and associates developed a fourth framework of significance. Through analysis of theoretical constructs, generic concepts that characterize occupational therapy can be identified. Theoretical constructs and research validation of the four approaches to occupational therapy are discussed in this article. A second article to appear in a subsequent issue of AJOT illustrates the use of the four theoretical frameworks to derive a philosophical basis for practice and a model of the practice process called "human development through occupation."