This article aims to introduce the concept of the dark side of occupation and encourage the reader to consider the dynamics behind occupational engagement.

Dr Claire Hart
Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy
Northumbria University in Newcastle
Primary research field: Refugee mental health and the occupational needs of marginalised groups

The dark side of occupation 

Occupational therapy has spent decades presenting a message on the value of occupation for health. The benefits from participation in meaningful and dignified occupation are increasingly well established (Hammell, 2018; Reitz & Scaffa, 2020). However, in our efforts to strengthen these claims we have avoided or ignored occupations which may be personally or socially problematic (Twinley, 2020).  In a discourse all about positive occupations and positive outcomes there has been little space to hear about alternative experiences of occupation (Hart, 2017; Nicholls & Elliot, 2019).  
The concept of the dark side of occupation is one way in which theorists are challenging some of the assumptions made about occupation by encouraging a broader appreciation of the complex nature of people’s meaningful engagement. This article aims to introduce the concept of the dark side of occupation and encourage the reader to consider the dynamics behind occupational engagement.
The dark side of occupation was introduced by Dr Rebecca Twinley, Senior Lecturer, University of Brighton, UK. She highlighted how a range of occupations have traditionally been under-explored and poorly understood, often because they did not support the narrative of a positive causal relationship between occupation and health (Twinley, 2017).  These occupations may not be prosocial, healthy or productive, but they may still have meaning and purpose to the individual (Kiepek & Magalhaes, 2011; Twinley & Addidle, 2012).  
In the use of the term “dark side of occupation” Twinley sought to acknowledge the lack of attention to the occupation, and the resultant lack of understanding, not pass judgement on the occupations themselves.  As a result, occupations are not described as dark per se, but inhabiting an unilluminated place in our professional attention (Twinley, 2017; 2020).  Some specific occupations, as diverse as substance misuse (Keipek et al, 2022), beauty pageants (Sy, Martinez & Twinley, 2021) and sex work (Huglstad et al, 2020) have been linked with the dark side of occupation. However, many occupations have the potential to be explored using this lens. Occupations may be in the shadows for many reasons (Nicholls & Elliot, 2021) and what shapes perceptions of an occupation is often nuanced. Attitudes can reflect the nature of the occupation itself, the way the person engages with it and external attitudes towards the occupation or the person performing it. 

This article aims to introduce the concept of the dark side of occupation and encourage the reader to consider the dynamics behind occupational engagement.

Dr Claire Hart
Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy
Northumbria University in Newcastle
Primary research field: Refugee mental health and the occupational needs of marginalised groups

The dark side of occupation 

Occupational therapy has spent decades presenting a message on the value of occupation for health. The benefits from participation in meaningful and dignified occupation are increasingly well established (Hammell, 2018; Reitz & Scaffa, 2020). However, in our efforts to strengthen these claims we have avoided or ignored occupations which may be personally or socially problematic (Twinley, 2020).  In a discourse all about positive occupations and positive outcomes there has been little space to hear about alternative experiences of occupation (Hart, 2017; Nicholls & Elliot, 2019).  
The concept of the dark side of occupation is one way in which theorists are challenging some of the assumptions made about occupation by encouraging a broader appreciation of the complex nature of people’s meaningful engagement. This article aims to introduce the concept of the dark side of occupation and encourage the reader to consider the dynamics behind occupational engagement.
The dark side of occupation was introduced by Dr Rebecca Twinley, Senior Lecturer, University of Brighton, UK. She highlighted how a range of occupations have traditionally been under-explored and poorly understood, often because they did not support the narrative of a positive causal relationship between occupation and health (Twinley, 2017).  These occupations may not be prosocial, healthy or productive, but they may still have meaning and purpose to the individual (Kiepek & Magalhaes, 2011; Twinley & Addidle, 2012).  
In the use of the term “dark side of occupation” Twinley sought to acknowledge the lack of attention to the occupation, and the resultant lack of understanding, not pass judgement on the occupations themselves.  As a result, occupations are not described as dark per se, but inhabiting an unilluminated place in our professional attention (Twinley, 2017; 2020).  Some specific occupations, as diverse as substance misuse (Keipek et al, 2022), beauty pageants (Sy, Martinez & Twinley, 2021) and sex work (Huglstad et al, 2020) have been linked with the dark side of occupation. However, many occupations have the potential to be explored using this lens. Occupations may be in the shadows for many reasons (Nicholls & Elliot, 2021) and what shapes perceptions of an occupation is often nuanced. Attitudes can reflect the nature of the occupation itself, the way the person engages with it and external attitudes towards the occupation or the person performing it.