Preparing Occupational Therapists to Support Parenting Occupations: Perspectives from the United States.

Abstract

Parenting is a valued occupation, yet occupational therapists report uncertainty in supporting parents in adult practice. This study examined parenting-related practices, confidence, preparation, and barriers among seventy-seven occupational therapists in the United States working primarily with adults. Online survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Although 96% identified parenting as within occupational therapy's scope and 61% reported providing parenting-related interventions, formal assessment was uncommon; only 6% used standardized parenting assessments, whereas 73% relied on informal approaches. Greater exposure to clients who were parents was associated with more frequently asking about parenting roles and providing interventions. Parenting-specific training was associated with greater confidence and more frequent intervention, while perceived sufficiency of entry-level preparation was associated with greater confidence. Fifty-eight percent reported insufficient entry-level preparation, and common barriers included limited training, institutional support, and resources. Findings highlight the need for greater parenting-focused content in occupational therapy education and continuing professional development, stronger institutional support and clinical resources, and integration of parenting into adult evaluation, intervention, and clinical workflows.