Variations in leisure activities among families with emotionally disturbed adolescents

Abstract

"A lack of wholesome, compatible family relations has been thought to be one of the causes for adolescent deviation from socially accepted patterns, yet the family has more opportunity to spend time together in leisure than during either subsistence or existence. This paradoxical-sounding statement indicates an increase in individual interests, raising the following question: Are there patterns in leisure activity interests among family members or displayed by individuals in families which might relate to or even be the cause for a mental health condition? Recreation has become one of the accepted therapies for adolescents which mental health problems. A question concerning the role recreation plays in the lives of emotionally disturbed adolescents was the basis for this study. The objective was to ascertain any relationships between the family and the emotionally disturbed adolescent in their recreation activities. The setting for this study was the Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center in Columbia, Missouri."-Page 1