Leisure Activities of Service Users in Psychiatric Rehabilitation– An Overlooked Avenue for Social Inclusion? Results from a Comparative Cross-Sectional Survey

Leisure engagement plays a crucial role in people's health. Although the effects of physical activity on mental health have been studied extensively, social leisure activities have been neglected so far. This study compares leisure satisfaction, behaviour and perceived barriers of 110 service users of sheltered workshops to those of 40 mental health professionals (MHPs). It examines factors associated with greater leisure satisfaction using a cross-sectional questionnaire. Main analyses were performed using ANCOVA and linear regression analyses. The frequency and variety of leisure activities were higher in MHPs (p < 0.001), with no difference in leisure satisfaction (but different perceived barriers) between the groups. Service users participating in regular group-based activities (42%) were more satisfied than service users who did not regularly participate (p < 0.05). Improving the service users' leisure satisfaction might foster social inclusion and well-being. MHPs need to include those with the most severe mental health problems who usually refuse to participate in social activities.