Essential Concepts of Occupation is a beautifully written, well-organized book that, in ten chapters, builds on the growing range of publications worldwide for those eager to know more about doing or everyday activity and engagement – expressed here in English as “occupation” in line with the profession, occupational therapy, and the scholarly focus of occupational science.

 

What humans do each day in different times, places, cultures, and communities has long been recognized as a foundation of human existence. What we do determines food, shelter, and safety combined with what we aspire to do for happiness, health, and freedoms in societies, in communities and our individual lives. Essential Concepts of Occupation takes a refreshing look at what humans do beyond this taken-for-granted awareness of occupation. Christiansen and Haertl stimulate deep thinking about occupation with interesting insights on occupation, including historical recognition of the term in English speaking countries. They consider: the importance of meaningful occupation; identity through occupation; personality theory and occupation; occupation embedded in and defining time use and place; cultural issues and occupation; justice foundations in occupation; occupation-based theory; occupation-based evaluation; occupation-based intervention; and human occupation in the future.