Abstract
Background: Leisure time is one of the most important aspects of life, especially for people with chronic diseases. The concept and types of leisure have frequently been evaluated in different socio-cultural populations. The aim of this study was to identify the nature of leisure activities among a sample of Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and classify the identified types of activities in the context of Iranian culture. Methods: In this qualitative study, semi-structured interview was applied to gather data from 34 MS patients that were selected through purposive sampling. The interviews were continued up to the point of saturation. Content analysis was used to explore experiences of the interviewees regarding their leisure activities. Results: Six categories of leisure activities were extracted for the studied patients with MS i.e.physical, social, individual, art/cultural, educational and spiritual/religious. Conclusion: The results represented the range and heterogeneity of leisure activities amongst the MS patients. Considering participation in spiritual/religious and social activities as leisure time undertaking might reflect cultural diversity in the perception and use of time for recreation. For mental health promotion purposes, paying special attention to the types of activities that people of different socio-cultural background choose for their refreshment could help health care providers in giving tailored advice for patients with MS and other chronic debilitating disease.
Highlights
Health of an individual is influenced by activities that she/ he do as daily routines.[1]
Leisure time activities are defined as “non-obligatory actions that are internally motivated and performed during free times, that is, time not committed to mandatory activities such as work, self-care, or sleep.”[4]. Participation in leisure activities is directly associated with self awareness, and is a part of healthy lifestyle.[5]
Inclusion criteria were being diagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS) patient, ability to speak clearly for the data collection and personal interest to participate in the interview
Summary
Health of an individual is influenced by activities that she/ he do as daily routines.[1] Theories of occupational therapy consider human beings as complex systems that have dynamic relations with the surrounding environment.[2] These interactions are critical for a productive life and take place in three domains: daily activities, work, and leisure. Results: Six categories of leisure activities were extracted for the studied patients with MS i.e. physical, social, individual, art/cultural, educational and spiritual/religious. For mental health promotion purposes, paying special attention to the types of activities that people of different socio-cultural background choose for their refreshment could help health care providers in giving tailored advice for patients with MS and other chronic debilitating disease
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
