AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF SUBJECTIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND FREQUENCY OF LEISURE ENGAGEMENT

Abstract

Mental health has traditionally been understood as the presence or absence of disease – however, research shows it is much more. Mental health is a complete state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make contributions to her or his community (WHO, 2007). As an aspect of health, the study of subjective mental health and leisure engagement is emerging in the literature. Researchers are beginning to acknowledge the importance of subjective mental health as an important facet of peoples’ lives.

The purpose of the current study was to examine how subjective mental health; socioeconomic status; presence or absence of a partner; sex and age associate with leisure engagement frequency. Through the use of a secondary data set and regression analysis the results of the study, guided by Avedon’s (1974) patterns of social interaction reveal that there are many complexities involved in choosing and engaging in leisure activities. Practitioners and researchers often forget these complexities of leisure engagement, along with the social and cognitive requirements for engagement. Recommendations as a result of this study include the use of Avedon’s (1974) model to understand the complexities of leisure engagement and to ensure a meaningful and satisfying leisure lifestyle. This was done by proposing Avedon’s (1974) postulates as a possible way to explain the social, psychological and physical requirements of an activity, which allowed the researcher to understand possible explanations for subjective mental health and leisure engagement.