Measuring Occupational Identity in Hospitalized Older Adults: A Psychometric Examination of the Occupational Identity Questionnaire

The OIQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the occupational identity of hospitalized older adults. It provides occupational therapy practitioners with key insights into their clients' identities and helps to guide interventions tailored to support their return to community living. Plain-Language Summary: This study examined a new tool, the Occupational Identity Questionnaire (OIQ), to measure hospitalized older adults' sense of identity. Occupational identity refers to how individuals view themselves on the basis of their activities. When older adults face illness or injury, their ability to perform meaningful activities can be threatened, affecting their sense of self. This study tested whether the OIQ, previously used for older adults living in communities, is also reliable and valid for those in hospitals. The findings show that the OIQ is useful for understanding how older adults perceive themselves and their abilities, even when hospitalized. This helps occupational therapy practitioners to better support patients' goals and needs, especially as they prepare to return home. Using the OIQ, therapists can create personalized therapy plans that strengthen patients' identities and improve their quality of life.