‘Life will become monotonous’: perspectives on leisure participation among individuals with schizophrenia in South India

Background Leisure participation is increasingly recognised as an important contributor to recovery, well-being and quality of life among individuals with schizophrenia. However, people with schizophrenia often experience restricted leisure engagement due to symptoms, social exclusion and structural barriers. Evidence from low-resource and culturally diverse settings such as India remains limited. Methods A qualitative study using a descriptive phenomenological approach was conducted. Thirteen adults diagnosed with schizophrenia and in a stable phase of illness were purposively recruited from a tertiary hospital and a psychiatric rehabilitation centre in South India. Data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Five themes were identified: leisure as a meaningful and therapeutic activity; types and patterns of leisure participation; benefits of leisure for well-being and participation; barriers and facilitators influencing leisure engagement; and aspirations for future leisure participation. Leisure was perceived as calming, restorative and purposeful, supporting emotional regulation, cognitive engagement, social connection, motivation and occupational balance. Spiritual and family-oriented activities were prominent. Barriers included fatigue, medication side effects, financial constraints, stigma and limited access to opportunities, while family support, personal interest and structured routines facilitated participation. Conclusion Leisure is a meaningful and therapeutic occupation for individuals with schizophrenia in South India. Integrating culturally meaningful, accessible and family-inclusive leisure opportunities within mental health services may enhance recovery and social inclusion. Registration Trial registry name: The study was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI). URL: https://ctri.nic.in. Registration number: CTRI/2024/05/068132.