Everyday Occupations of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Students in Scandinavia

Abstract

This study explored the repertoire of everyday occupations of Scandinavian occupational and physiotherapy students. A time geographic method was used, whereby students in different countries were asked to keep diaries for the same period. Diaries from 22 students were analysed, from which three main time consuming occupational projects were identified: 1) Professional training, 2) Care of oneself, and 3) Recreation. These projects are presented and discussed in the context of everyday life faced by today's generation of young adults, who have grown up in a global context and a rapidly changing world: A situation that might have consequences for the way students live their everyday occupational lives. The results show that identity related issues may be inherent in their most time‐consuming occupations, and that their daily pattern of occupation is repetitive. The students arrange their everyday lives to ensure that social interaction with other students is incorporated. They spend time in few places and perform a limited repertoire of occupations, and their occupational patterns reflect the contemporary values for young adults in Scandinavia.

Key Words:

• Occupational projects
• Time
• geography Student
• Young adult
• Activity pattern