The Diverse Worlds of Unemployed Adults: Consequences for Leisure, Lifestyle, and Well-being

Karen F. Danielson, Ph.D., is a research consultant at Laurentian
University who specializes in leisure, textiles, family life, and Japan.

According to the authors, money, guilt, lack of information, and mood
are among the factors that prevent unemployed people from participating
in healthy leisure activities. In their study, qualitative techniques
were used to categorize information obtained through in-depth
interviews, standardized questionnaires, and the objective recording of
activities. Results indicated that the experiences of unemployed adults
are very diverse, with issues of social isolation, health, resources,
boredom, or self-worth stressing some people, while others enjoy reduced
stress and increased opportunity for social interaction. Thus,
optimistic young people who are living with parents, immigrants isolated
by language barriers, and parents who cannot afford programs for their
children have distinctly different needs.

The authors conclude that it is crucial to recognize this diversity in
order to reduce the isolation of unemployed people, preserve their
health, and ensure that they are able to contribute to society.
Perceptions of leisure time, daily variations in mood, issues regarding
entitlement, and transportation problems are among the variables
discussed. As well, the authors provide a number of specific
recommendations for service providers. For instance, they note that the
vigilant work orientation of unemployment offices can cause suffering
(e.g., a parent may have to sacrifice unemployment pay in order to
participate in a child’s school activities). They also suggest that
the federal government’s mandate needs to be broader than sports and
include other recreational activities. The authors recommend the
integration of career education with leisure education to help ensure
that the unemployed regain their entitlement to a healthy lifestyle.
Collaboration among agencies is also recommended in order that programs
in the leisure field can be complemented by those offered for the
workplace, health care, and employment.

This study would be particularly useful to those who counsel the
unemployed as well as those who market programs and services to this
group.