Removing Attitudinal Barriers to Leisure Behavior and Satisfaction: A Field Experiment Among the Institutionalized Elderly

Authors

  • Sheila J Backman
  • Roger C Mannell

Keywords:

Older Adults, Leisure Counseling, Leisure Attitudes, Leisure Behavior, Leisure Satisfaction, Activities Program

Abstract

Many older adults seem unable to take advantage of the leisure opportunities that already
exist in their community and/or institutional homes. The failure to pursue leisure activities
and avocational interests, makes them a group with the potential for leisure counseling
intervention. Traditionally, increased leisure participation by the older adult has been
promoted with programs that teach skills, and which offer activities to fill free time.
However, the danger of this approach alone is that most of the activities engaged in by the
elderly may fall into the category ofbusy work, not recreation. The lack ofleisure participation
is as likely dependent upon psychological barriers, such as, attitudes, as it is on the lack
of recreation skills. For the present study, a counseling program, aimed at attitudinal
barriers, was developed and evaluated. A field experiment conducted in a total-care senior
citizen's facility found that the leisure counseling program was more effective than a
traditional leisure activities program of the same duration in increasing positive attitudes
toward leisure. Those involved in the leisure counseling program also reported more
satisfaction with their recreational involvements. However, leisure participation increased
only for those residents involved in both the leisure counseling and activity programs.

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Published

1986-07-01

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 3 (1986)

Section

Research Papers

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

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