Enhancing Inpatient Care: The Impact of Therapeutic Recreation on Emotional Competence and Life Orientation

This study investigates the effects of therapeutic recreational activities on the emotional skills, competence, and life orientations of patients receiving inpatient treatment at Ankara Gülhane Training and Research Hospital. The sample consisted of 313 inpatients, 154 males, and 159 females. Data collection tools included a personal information form, the "Emotional Skills and Competence Scale (ESCQ-45)," and the "Life Orientation Test (LOT)." Statistical analyses used were descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, ANOVA, LSD post hoc tests, multiple linear regression, and Pearson correlation analyses. Internal consistency coefficients were 0.96 for the ESCQ-45 and 0.92 for the LOT. Results showed high mean scores on the ESCQ-45 (x̄ = 3.81) and low scores on the LOT (x̄ = 2.00), indicating pessimistic life orientations. Participants' therapeutic recreational activity involvement, age, education level, treatment unit, and daily treatment frequency significantly influenced these measurements. There were negative and moderate correlations between emotional skills, competence, and life orientation, with emotional skills and competence being significant predictors of life orientation. Findings suggest that participation in therapeutic recreational activities has a limited impact on emotional skills and life orientation.