Perceptions of Leisure by Family Caregivers: A Profile

Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Fourth Quarter 2004 by Bedini, Leandra A, Phoenix, Terri L

Value of leisure. The value of leisure was examined through four questions: "I value my leisure/recreation pursuits," "I protect my leisure regardless of my caregiving responsibilities," "My care-recipient has a lot of influence over whether I pursue my leisure/recreation," and "I can do leisure/recreation whenever I want." Overall, approximately 71% of the respondents stated that they valued leisure. When comparing value of leisure to the different relationships that the caregivers had to the care-recipients (i.e., parent, adult child, spouse), caregivers of children with disabilities were less likely to value leisure (χ^sup 2^(8, N = 433) = 15.61, p = .05) than caregivers of adults (either parents or spouses). For all subjects, the value of leisure decreased as the level of care required by the care-recipient increased χ^sup 2^(6, N = 485) = 13.17,p = .04); whereas, valuing leisure increased as income increased among all caregivers (χ^sup 2^(4, p = 374) = 10.74, p = .03). Finally, analysis indicated that there was a relationship between valuing leisure (79%) not perceiving caregiving to cause a financial hardship. (χ^sup 2^(4, p = 457) = 18.33, p = .00).

Despite the high percentage of caregivers who valued their leisure, only 12% reported that they protected their leisure. The only difference among groups that emerged regarding protecting their leisure was in relationship to level of care required by their care-recipients. Those with care-recipients that required more care were less likely to protect their leisure (χ^sup 2^(6, p = 433) = 18.54, p = .01). In addition, while no significant differences were evident, it is interesting to note that only 4% of those caring for children with disabilities stated that they protected their leisure.

Sixty-three percent of the respondents reported that their respective care-recipients had a lot of influence over whether they (respondents) pursued leisure. Understandably, this perception of influence increased as level of care required by the care-recipient increased (χ^sup 2^(6, N = 486) = 17.15, p= .01). Age and employment also seemed to affect these resuits. Respondents 55 years of age and older (χ^sup 2^(4, N = 454) = 15.69, p = .00) and those who were retired (χ^sup 2^(12, N = 484) = 23.14, p = .03) were more likely than the younger, employed caregivers to feel that their carerecipient had a lot of influence over their leisure experiences.

For the last value question, "1 can do leisure/recreation whenever I want," caregivers of children with disabilities (χ^sup 2^(4, N = 434) = 10.85, p = .03) were less likely to feel free to recreate at their own will. Additionally, those respondents whose care-recipients required a high level of care were least likely (χ^sup 2^(6, N = 486) = 36.39, p = .00) to feel this freedom. see Table 2 for details.

Definitions of leisure. Four definitions of leisure were presented to the respondents as part of this survey. Over half of the respondents defined leisure and recreation as "unobligated time" (58%). The remaining 42% chose the definitions of "freedom from responsibility" (19%), "activity that was fun" (15%), and "state of mind" (8%). Additionally, just less than 1 % of the respondents created their own definitions of leisure. For example, one woman added the words, "body and spirit" to the definition about state of mind. Also, several noted that they could not pick just one definition and combined two or more definitions.