The association between leisure motivation and recovery: A pilot study

Abstract

Background and aims: Recovery from mental illness may be facilitated by participation in activities that provide meaning and purpose in the lives of consumers. Leisure participation can be a major source of enjoyment as well as mental and physical well‐being. Methods and results: This study examined the association between consumers’ motivation to engage in leisure and their self‐reported perception of recovery in a sample of 44 Clubhouse members. The Leisure Motivation Scale and the Recovery Assessment Scale were used to measure the association between leisure motivation and recovery. The results indicated a statistically significant association between leisure motivation and recovery. Conclusion: These findings have implications for service delivery within mental health settings, as occupational therapists may be able to design leisure‐based programs more effectively if they can understand the needs and motives for participation. More emphasis should be placed on supporting consumers to re‐integrate and be socially included within the community through leisure‐based initiatives.