Understanding the episodic everyday of disrupted lives: Scoping the occupational therapy literature

Abstract

Background. The concept “everyday” appears unchallenged and problematic when applied to people who experience disrupted lives through illness or disability. Purpose. This study draws upon social and philosophical theory to review the relevance of the concept “everyday” when applied to contemporary occupational therapy and the lives of individuals who experience biographical disruption. Method. A literature review guided by a scoping framework was undertaken followed by a critical analysis drawing on Bauman to determine the frequency and meaning of the concept “everyday” used in the occupational therapy and occupational science literature. Findings. Definitions of the “everyday” are used infrequently despite recurrent use of the concept. A large proportion of literature reviewed in this manuscript does not acknowledge or discuss the philosophical and sociological influences that contribute to an understanding of the “everyday,” leaving the reader to make her or his own interpretations. Implications. Reconceptualizing lived “everyday” experience within the contextual “here and now” provides a postmodern “episodic” lens for occupational therapists working with individuals who experience biographical disruption.