The Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model is a model that emphasizes occupational performance shaped by the interaction between person, environment, and occupation. The person domain includes role, self-concept, cultural background, personality, health, cognition, physical performance, and sensory capabilities. The environmental domain includes physical, cultural, institutional, social, and socio-economic environment. The occupation refers to the groups of tasks that a person engages in and meets his/her self-maintenance, expression and fulfillment. The three domains are dependent and affected by each other. In this model, the overlapping area of the three domains shapes occupational performance dynamically, and also represents the level of congruence of the interaction between the person, environment and occupation. With the higher level of congruence, the quality of occupational performance is increased and vice versa. In addition, the PEO model takes a lifespan perspective and so all three domains and occupational performance would change over life. Therefore, this model can be viewed as an assessment tool to understand and analyze problematic areas that affect clients’ occupational performance or, as an intervention tool, to improve clients’ occupational performance by enhancing the congruence of the three domains.
Summarized by
- Lesley Chan
- Louise Pang
Type
- Model (conceptual)
Population
- Child
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Elderly
Disability
- All
Domain of occupation
- Unspecified
Application Note
This model can be used as both assessment model and intervention model.
Key Reference
Law, M., Cooper, B. A., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The person-environment-occupation model: A transactive approach to occupational performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63, 9-23.
Year Published
- 1996
Primary Developer
- Mary Law
Primary Developer Email
- lawm@mcmaster.ca