The Model Of Human Occupation (MOHO)

There are numerous guidelines and models used to assist Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioners in practice. A prevalent frame of reference used is the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). MOHO was written in part by Gary Kielhofner with contributions from two other authors. According to the MOHO article, this frame of reference’s main emphasis was to interrelate various themes of occupational therapy behavior into a framework that could be used as a guide for practice. Additionally, it’s a tool used by practitioners to shape how its theory is functional and can be applied to clients and their occupations. This model was initially an outline submitted in an unpublished master’s thesis in 1975. After further revision and experimentation of research, it was then published five years later.

More specifically, MOHO is a conceptual model that addresses aspects of healthy occupations and any disruption of an occupation that may occur. It revolves around how occupation is organized, components of a person, their environment and their occupational performance. An occupation is the center of a person’s life. It can include their lifestyle roles such as where they work, what they do for enjoyment and their basic needs of everyday life. MOHO not only addresses all the factors that contribute to a person’s occupation but also how they’re all structured together; this includes two main points. First being, participation in an occupation evolves around self-motivation and how one’s environment contributes to what and how he or she does. Secondly, occupation shapes who a person is; occupational involvement should be sustained to outline their abilities, self –concept and identity. Humans in this model are conjectured as being comprised of three