Self-determination and the leisure experiences of women with intellectual disabilities living in two group homes
Date
2006-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This phenomenological case study aimed to understand the leisure experiences of
5 women with intellectual disabilities (ages 44-60) living in a two group homes. The
experiences of the 5 women (3 in one home, 2 in another) were captured using the
phenomenological methods of participant observation, artifacts, and semi-structured and
active interviewing. Staff members from each home were also interviewed to give further
context to the women's leisure experiences. The nature of the women's leisure
experiences were understood within the conceptual framework of self-determination. The
leisure experiences were encapsulated under 3 main themes (leisure at home, leisure in
the community, leisure with family and friends). However, the subthemes indicated that
the nature of the leisure experiences and opportunities for input into leisure were different
in each home. The essence of the women's leisure experiences were strongly influenced
by their interactions with staff who determined opportunities (or lack thereof) for the
women to provide input into their leisure experiences. In one group home, leisure was
self-directed, even when staff support was required for the women (independent selfdirected
leisure; staff supported self-directed). In the same group home, leisure in the
community was experienced independently (independent outings) even when staff were
required to provide assistance in unfamiliar settings (accompanied outings). The women
of this group home experienced leisure with family and friends when they initiated
contact with loved ones (connecting with others). Conversely, many of the leisure
experiences in the other group home were supervised even when the women chose the
activity (supervised, self-directed leisure; supervised directed leisure). Community outings were also supervised (supervised outings) and leisure with family and friends was
experienced when important others initiated contact (awaiting a connection with others).
The women in one home experienced opportunities for input into spontaneous
leisure at home as well as in the community. Even when staff support was required to
engage in an activity, the type and amount of support was determined by the women. The
leisure experiences for the women of the other home were defined, in large part, by
planned and scheduled events in the home. The activities needed in the daily management
of the group home appeared to take precedence over opportunities for leisure experiences
and the women's input into the nature of their leisure experiences. The results draw
attention to the environments of each home and the experiences of the women. The
empowering effects of such a case study may elicit action on behalf of the reader through
conscious raising of important issues (i.e., the importance of self-determination for
people with disabilities). This study increases the awareness of the influence the context
has on self-determination and has important implications for service providers in the field
of disability.
Description
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Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
College of Kinesiology
Program
College of Kinesiology