Leisure counseling for mentally ill adults

Includes bibliographical references (pages 48-51)This is an exploratory study. The research took place at a rehabilitation center for mentally ill adults between the ages of 18 and 35. The importance of this study was based on the need for research into the subject of leisure counseling. The purpose of the study was to determine if leisure counseling could increase the participation of mentally ill adults in recreational activities. It was predicated on the assumptions that (1) mentally ill adults had problems: mentally- ill adults in regard to adjustment to their leisure prior to being ill and (2) that participation in recreational activities is physically and psychologically beneficial for mentally ill adults. The question posed by the study was twofold. First, can leisure counseling be conducted in an outpatient mental health setting? Second, can it effectively identify new leisure interests and stimulate and increase involvement of clients in such a setting? The evidence from the study suggested leisure counseling may be conducted in an outpatient mental health setting but under difficult conditions. The researcher could not show that leisure counseling in itself stimulated new leisure interests and or increased leisure involvement of clients