Perceptions of Play and Leisure in Junior School Aged Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: What are the Implications for Occupational Therapy?

Abstract

Play is the dominant occupation in childhood and is recognised as having an important role in wellbeing. Past research suggests that children with a disability experience a variety of barriers to engagement in play. Despite this, play is often not assessed as a specific area of occupational performance. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of play and leisure in junior school aged children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Twelve children between the ages of 7 years and 11 years were interviewed in order to uncover the barriers to engagement in play and leisure and to consider the implications, if any, for occupational therapy. The results showed that all children, regardless of disease activity, reported difficulty in engaging in play and leisure activities. The symptoms of the disease, the treatment regimes and their side-effects, and psychosocial factors were all reported to affect play and leisure experiences. The children also reported that play behaviours were often restricted by parents, friends and school personnel. Fear of damage and unclear communication about the effects of activity also resulted in self-imposed restrictions, which further limited play experiences. Although the children reported a number of coping strategies to deal with these difficulties, they reported more indoor play and engagement in sedentary activities which often gave rise to feelings of being different, sadness and loneliness. These findings may have important consequences for occupational therapy and provide a timely reminder about the significance of assessing play and leisure as distinct areas of occupational performance in children.

The meaning of leisure for children and young people with physical disabilities: a systematic evidence synthesis

“…Three studies included females only . The ages of participants ranged from 6 to 21 years: four studies focused exclusively on 6‐ to 12‐year‐olds, four focused on 13‐ to 19‐year‐olds, and all other studies included both age groups …”

Understanding the Professional Socialization of Canadian Physical Therapy Students: A Qualitative Investigation

“…A coding scheme was developed iteratively and collaboratively, similar to an approach used by Hackett 14 and following guidelines for coding and analysis outlined by Taylor and Bodkin, 15 to code the reflective journals.…”

Getting through the day: exploring patients’ leisure experiences in a private hospital

“…The importance of leisure among patients in community was identified, yet only a few of them were qualitative studies (Hodgson et al. 2001, Hackett 2003, Pereira & Stagnitti 2008, O’Sullivan & Chard 2010). The leisure studies in Hong Kong are rare, and they only revealed the discrepancy between patients’ needs for leisure and their actual participation, without exploring the reasons.…”