From which movement did occupational therapy evolve?

Occupational therapy evolved from the moral treatment movement, which was prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries. This movement emphasized the humane treatment of individuals with mental health issues and advocated for activities that engaged patients in meaningful work as a means of recovery. The use of occupation as a therapeutic tool was central to this approach, which viewed engaging individuals in purposeful activities as essential to their rehabilitation.

Practitioners believed that nature, industry, and purposeful engagement in tasks could positively influence an individual's mental and physical health. This philosophy laid the groundwork for the development of occupational therapy as a distinct discipline, where the focus is on utilizing meaningful activities to enhance health and well-being.

While the other movements listed have influenced various aspects of health care and rehabilitation, they did not directly shape the foundational principles of occupational therapy to the same extent as the moral treatment movement. The educational reform movement focused on childhood education and did not specifically address health care practices. The industrial revolution introduced changes in work and labor but did not prioritize the therapeutic value of occupation. The rehabilitation movement, although significant in the context of recovery and therapy, came later and was influenced by the earlier developments from the moral treatment movement.