Research Trends in Leisure and Special Populations

Two studies investigate research trends for leisure with special populations. Data are based on a survey of researchers and a content analysis of three leisure and therapeutic recreation journals. The survey of researchers found that current research areas included: 1) leisure patterns and needs of clients, 2) use of leisure as a treatment tool, 3) development and validation of programs or tests and 4) counseling and therapy. Proposed areas for future research included: 1) antecedents and consequences of leisure, 2) descriptive studies of leisure patterns and needs, 3) teaching and therapy methods, 4) measurement methodology and 5) theory building. Content analysis of the journals suggested that little non-opinion based work is being published in this area but that areas where work is being done include: 1) the development and validation of programs or tools, 2) teaching and therapy methods, 3) use of leisure as a treatment tool, 4) descriptive studies of leisure patterns and needs and 5) measurement methodology.