personenvironment

Personenvironment refers to the reciprocal and dynamic relationship between an individual and the environments in which they live, work, and interact. It encompasses physical spaces, social networks, cultural norms, organizational structures, and broader ecological contexts. The concept emphasizes that behavior, functioning, and well-being emerge from ongoing interactions between personal attributes (such as abilities, values, and needs) and environmental characteristics (such as demands, supports, and opportunities).

In theory, personenvironment underpins several important ideas, including person-environment fit, which posits that outcomes improve when the environment aligns with a person’s capabilities and preferences. Conversely, poor fit can reduce engagement and satisfaction. The concept also aligns with field-based and ecological perspectives, such as Lewin’s field theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which frame behavior as shaped by factors within and across nested environmental levels.

Frameworks such as the Occupational Therapy Practice’s PEO (person-occupation-environment) model highlight maximizing the overlap among person, environment, and occupation to support participation and functioning. Applications span workplace design and ergonomics, accessibility and universal design, education, mental health services, and urban planning. Researchers use qualitative and quantitative methods to assess fit, adaptation, and outcomes of personenvironment interactions.

Critiques note that these relationships are highly dynamic and context-dependent, with cultural differences shaping what constitutes a good fit. Operationalizing “environment” can oversimplify complex realities, and establishing causal links can be challenging in observational studies. Ongoing work aims to integrate multiple levels of analysis and to develop measures that capture reciprocity and change over time. Related concepts include ecological psychology, environmental psychology, and the broader field of person-environment-occupation theory.