Time Use and Leisure Occupations of Young Offenders

Abstract

Findings from this study help us to understand the relationship between use of time and social well-being, particularly the nature of time use of young offenders, and will help to inform occupational therapy practices with such groups.

Use of Participant-Generated Photography in a Research Contribution Course

“…A search of the literature found that researchers in OT and occupational science primarily supported the use of time diaries (Chilvers, Corr, & Singlehurst, 2010;Crowe & Florez, 2006;Erlandsson & Eklund, 2001;Farnworth, 2000;Larson & von Eye, 2010;Orban et al, 2012;Scanlan & Bundy, 2011;Ziviani, Lim, Jendra-Smith, & Nolan, 2008). Although some studies questioned the reliability of self-report (Jason et al, 2009), and the participants often needed assistance in fully completing the diaries (Bejerholm et al, 2006;Thomas, Hunt, Hurley, Robertson, & Carter, 2011), the participants generally did not find the diaries to be difficult or time consuming.…”

The Therapeutic Use of Videogames within Secure Forensic Settings: A Review of the Literature and Application to Practice

“…Within the occupational therapy literature, leisure has been regarded as a core human occupation, essential to physical and psychological wellbeing, since the beginning of occupational therapy practice (Meyer 1922, cited in Suto 1998, Farnworth 2000. One aspect of leisure -play -has for a long time been recognised as developmentally important in children: being bounded by rules and conditions, play allows the child to adapt to the external environment, to discover how to use tools to operate on the environment and to practise taking on social roles without exposure to the consequences that might threaten survival (Kielhofner and Miyake 1981).…”

“…Farnworth (2000) found that young offenders spent the majority of their time engaged in passive leisure occupations (such as watching television and listening to music) at the expense of engaging in active leisure occupations; this was as a result of their perceived lack of ability and lack of opportunity as well as their disrupted occupational history. Farnworth (2000) suggested that such occupational dysfunction may influence negatively the mental health and wellbeing of young offenders.For clients with a dual diagnosis of a mental health disorder and substance misuse, engagement in active leisure may be a key factor in the recovery process (studies cited in Hodgson et al 2001) and may also be a useful relapse prevention strategy (Hodgson and Lloyd 2002). …”

“…Active leisure is conceptualised as activities that develop competencies, skills and enhanced self-esteem, whereas passive leisure is believed not to have these effects (Passmore 1998). Others have considered leisure as being either 'serious', that is, involving achievement, personal development and feelings of group identification and immersion in a subculture, or 'casual', that is, used to pass the time (Suto 1998).The importance of active leisure among forensic clients Farnworth (2000) studied the time use and leisure occupations of young offenders. Following Passmore (1998), she divided leisure use into active/achievement/social (those that developed competencies and influenced self-efficacy and self-esteem) and time-out/passive (those that did not enhance either competence or self-esteem), and classed computer games as an active leisure occupation (in common with others, for example, Bryce 2001).…”

“…One aspect of leisure -play -has for a long time been recognised as developmentally important in children: being bounded by rules and conditions, play allows the child to adapt to the external environment, to discover how to use tools to operate on the environment and to practise taking on social roles without exposure to the consequences that might threaten survival (Kielhofner and Miyake 1981). Playing games equips children with the social skills needed to adapt to the requirements of a society (Greenfield 1993).The profession has only recently, however, considered adult leisure and play seriously (Suto 1998, Lobo 1999, Farnworth 2000, Hodgson et al 2001. For older adults, playing games is accompanied by a sense of belonging, continuity and mental and physical health (Hoppes et al 2001).…”