Occupational Resilience (Part 1): Origins and Significance to Health and Well-being

Abstract

Occupational resilience (OR) is a novel concept emerging in occupational therapy and occupational science, with significant implications for the field. However, its definition is still evolving and needs clarity and consensus. In this article, we offer a definition inspired by the real-life experiences of refugee immigrants who have been resettled in the United States of America (USA). We define OR as the ability to persist in an occupation, where the duration and intensity of engagement are the essential contributors. Therefore, we propose that three elements, occupation, intensity, and duration, constitute the nature of OR and shape how occupation impacts health, either positively or negatively. We argue that OR is both measurable and modifiable, and we draw on the experiences of refugee musicians to gain insights and suggest how to enhance persistence in occupation over extended periods. We believe that OR is relevant to all kinds of human occupations, the various things people do throughout their lives. To support health, measures of OR must be applied judiciously because the link between occupation and health is complex, rarely following simple linear principles. Despite the complexity of the links between OR and health, we argue that the construct is of high significance in clinical practice, experimental research, and epidemiological studies.