Excuse me, whose leisure time?! Perceptions of family leisure amongst families with children with developmental disabilities Cover Image

Oprostite, čije slobodno vrijeme?! iskustvo slobodnog vremena obitelji djeteta s teškoćama u razvoju
Excuse me, whose leisure time?! Perceptions of family leisure amongst families with children with developmental disabilities

Author(s): Ana Blažević Simić, Marija Đurašin
Subject(s): Family and social welfare, Inclusive Education / Inclusion
Published by: Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet
Keywords: parents; challenges; strategies; benefits; qualitative research;

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the paper was to research leisure in families with children with developmental disabilities from the parents' point of view, a topic that has been marginally researched in Croatia as well as in the region. Qualitative methodology was used, and information was gathered by interviewing nine mothers of children with developmental disabilities. The results show that mothers achieve family leisure through a large spectrum of activities, during which they assign great importance to interaction. To organise family leisure, they face numerous challenges (e.g. stress, fatigue, difficulties in finding suitable activities) and use various strategies (e.g. planning carefully, obtaining materials, consulting other parents/experts). As benefits of family leisure, they report family member bonding, relaxation and fun for the child with developmental disability as well as maturity and empathy in the siblings of typical development. However, when asked whether they can use the family leisure as their own leisure, answers were contradictory.

  • Issue Year: 56/2020
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 104-132
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: Croatian