The purpose of this paper is to consider the relationship between occupational science and well-being. First, I will present how I have thought about occupation as an occupational therapist. There are eight aspects for considering the meaning of occupation. Occupation that is emotionally charged is likely to be meaningful. Occupation can be a means to an end or an end, or both. Through occupation, we can connect with people, objects, and places, and time. Occupation related to self and identity. Although some health consequences follow immersion in occupation, occupation can restore or enhance health in successful occupational therapy. Occupation can organize life. Occupation has a social meaning. Various classifications have been applied to occupation. Next, we consider the relationship between the four factors of well-being and the eight aspects of the meaning of occupation. Finally, I will refer to the idea of labor as an analogous term for occupation. Occupational science goes beyond individual well-being to occupational justice as a vision of society.

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COVID-19 has caused global occupational disruption, leading to widespread changes to everyday life and challenges to health and wellbeing. This situation provides occupational therapists with an opportunity to demonstrate the art and science of occupational therapy. Combining knowledge of occupational therapy theory and occupational science with their practical skills in assisting people to respond to disruptions in everyday life, occupational therapists are well positioned to support both their clients, colleagues and the broader community during the pandemic response. The article presents examples from a population level intervention, followed by consideration of the importance of reflection and the idea of disruption as presenting new opportunities.

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To determine the relationship between the degree of participation limitation in each occupational area and the degree of negative impact on quality of life(QOL), subjective health, and overall life, a questionnaire survey was administered to non-native speakers attending an English as second language schools in an area that was in lockdown due to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. The degree of participation limitation was found to be in the order of leisure, direct social interaction, learning, community activities, and work. With learn- ing participation limitation significantly correlated with QOL, mental health, routine, and occupational balance, housework with QOL, and direct social interaction with physical health, all of which were moderately significant. The study deepened our understanding of the situation of participation constraints of non-native speakers due to the lockdown. The results suggest that the variety of occupational forms, meanings, and functions, the role of the person who performs the occupation, and whether the occupational area is related to the occupation that the person would like to do in the future are related.

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[in Japanese]

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