Effects of Leisure Education on Self-Determination, Social Interaction, and Positive Affect of Young Adults With Mental Retardation

Authors

  • Richard Williams
  • John Dattilo

Keywords:

Leisure Education, Mental Retardation, Single Subject Research, Therapeutic Recreation, Self-Determination, Social Interaction, Positive Affect

Abstract

A single-subject, multiple baseline across participants design was used to investigate the
effects of a leisure education program on the self-determination, social interaction, and
positive affect (the dependent variables) during the free time of a group of young adults
with mental retardation. Participants were four adults with mental retardation who worked
at a vocational training center in a small town located in the Southeastern United States.
Results of the effects of a leisure education intervention were mixed. While participants
had higher levels of positive affect at follow-up than during baseline, it appears that the
leisure education program had little impact on the other dependent variables. Design considerations
and issues related to leisure education are discussed.

Published

1997-10-24

Issue

Section

Research Papers