Leisure in child and youth care institutions: An integrative literature review

This study aimed to analyze and synthesize the scientific research that examines leisure in the lives of children and adolescents in institutional care. The systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, SciELO, and VHL, with study selection reported according to PRISMA 2020 and methodological quality assessed using QualSyst. Twenty studies were included and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: space for expression and emotional regulation; context of bonding, coexistence, and belonging; promotion of subjective well-being; resource for protection, coping, and resilience; and experience in developing and expanding daily life. Based on these findings, a conceptual model is proposed that positions leisure as a central dimension in the articulation of emotional, relational, and developmental processes, highlighting tensions related to its limited centrality in institutional practices. The results reinforce the need to recognize leisure as a structuring component of care.