Introduction: Depression is a common mental disorder characterized by persistently low mood, loss of interest, reduced motivation, fatigue, and difficulties in performing everyday activities. Its development may be influenced by genetic factors, biological and hormonal changes, stressful life events, losses, abuse, or long-term burdens. Environmental factors, family relationships, social support, and broader social factors also play an important role. Individuals with depression often have greater difficulty engaging in meaningful activities and may experience problems with daily organization and social inclusion. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma thesis is to present findings from the literature and to explore the role of occupational therapy in improving functioning and alleviating depressive symptomatology in adults, as well as to determine which occupational therapy interventions have proven to be the most effective. Methods: A literature review was used in the diploma thesis. The literature was searched in the CINAHL and PubMed databases. The following keywords were used: ("occupational therapy" OR "occupational therapist") AND ("depression" OR "major depressive disorder" OR "depressed"). The inclusion criteria included studies and articles written in English. Articles addressing individuals younger than 18 years and individuals without a diagnosis of depression were excluded. Results: A total of 14 articles were included in the final analysis. The authors of the included studies examined the role of occupational therapy in adults with depression, particularly its impact on everyday occupations, alleviation of depressive symptomatology, and improvement of quality of life. They focused on various occupational therapy interventions, such as structuring the day, engagement in meaningful activities, group and creative activities, psychoeducation, and support in returning to work. Discussion and conclusion: Occupational therapy plays an important role in the treatment of adults with depression, as it helps individuals establish a daily routine, engage in meaningful activities, improve everyday functioning, and reintegrate into social and work environments. The findings indicate that occupational therapy interventions may contribute to reduced severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety, greater independence, and improved quality of life. Despite the positive results, evidence on the effectiveness of occupational therapy in depression remains limited; therefore, further research with larger samples and longer follow-up periods is needed.
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