The purpose of this study was to develop domains, items and descriptors for levels of collective participation, which can be used as guidelines by occupational therapists to determine a collective’s ability to participate in collective occupations. These levels aimed to increase therapists’ understanding of the collective’s occupational potential, enabling better planning of more appropriate, preventative and promotive health programmes. A mixed methods approach and a sequential exploratory design were used to complete this study.

A qualitative approach and a descriptive design were used to explore and conceptualise collective occupation and participation in collective occupations. Data were gathered through eleven semi-structured interviews and a literature review. This information informed the development of the domains and items for the understanding of collective participation. The Vona Du Toit Model of Creative Ability was used to provide structure and to guide the development of domains, items and item descriptors. Results from this phase found that the scale, the domains and items were valid.

Descriptors for seven levels of collective participation were developed through this research. The newly developed levels of collective participation are now ready for conversion into an assessment tool for psychometric investigation and field testing.