Leisure and health benefits among Korean adolescents with visual impairments

• Main Authors: Junhyoung Kim, Se-Hyuk Park
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2018-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
• Subjects: leisure; leisure skills; perseverance; personal growth; psychological benefits; self-expression; visual impairment
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2018.1435097

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore health benefits through leisure engagement among Korean adolescents with visual impairments. Method: Using semi-structured interviews, a total of 14 adolescents with visual impairments participated in this study. Results: Two salient themes were captured as health benefits as a result of leisure engagement: psychological wellbeing and personal growth. Conclusions: The findings suggest that leisure provides a venue for the development of self-expression, leisure skills, perseverance, and positive affects. It also indicates that leisure can serve as a vehicle for promoting health and life satisfaction among Korean adolescents with visual impairments.