The Journal of Korean Society of Community-Based Occupational Therapy Vol.11 No.3 pp.25-41
Analysis of Occupational Balance by Gender and Age of Healthy Adult Using Occupational Balance Assessment
Key Words : OBA,Age,Gender,OBA,Occupational balance
Abstract
Objective : This study was conducted to identify the differences in occupational balance by gender and age of healthy adults and to show a standardized score for clinical application of Occupational Balance Assessment (OBA). Methods : This study was conducted on 933 healthy adults aged from 20s to 50s. The occupational balance by gender and age was analyzed using the OBA raw data of the study subjects. For data analysis, descriptive statistic, independent sample t-test, one way ANOVA were used. For calculating the OBA standardized score, the Z score, standard score, and percentile rank were calculated in consideration of gender and age. Results : The significant differences were confirmed in several occupation in the three areas of OBA by gender and age(p<.05). First, in the area of time use by gender, there were significant differences in care of others, work, leisure/play, and total score. In the area of occupational frequency, there were significant differences in self-care, care of others, work, and leisure/play. And in the area of occupational characteristics, there was a significant difference in care of others and work. Second, in the area of time use by age, there were significant differences in care of others, education, and leisure/play. In the area of occupational frequency, there were significant differences in care for others, rest/sleep, education, work, leisure/play, and social participation. And in the area of occupational characteristics, there was a significant difference only in work. Finally, based on the difference in occupational balance by gender and age, standardized scores for each of the three areas of OBA were calculated. Conclusion : The difference in occupational balance by gender and age was confirmed for healthy adults aged 20s to 50s by using the OBA. It is expected that OBA will be usefully utilized as an evaluation tool for measuring occupational balance in clinical practice.