Título
Productive leisure activity among women living with breast and ovary cancer: an alternative intervention strategy to improve their subjective well-being (SWB)
Autor
Langrand, Emilia Eugenia Chamorro
Resumo
en
This study explored the relationship between leisure engagement and the subjective well-being
of women with breast and/or ovary cancer diagnosis in Portugal, Honduras and Nicaragua. A
mixed methods approach was designed where 7 participants were involved in a leisure activity
(assembling post-surgical bras) in a peer-based group. Furthermore, 128 participants were
surveyed through a questionnaire including 7 life domains mentioned as indicators of SWB. This
study gathered data regarding the social support sources of participants and their experiences
with illness. In addition, the quantitative portion of the research indicated the main benefits of
being engaged in a leisure activity: developing new talents, building a support network,
increasing self-esteem and avoid overthinking about illness. Crucial to the preliminary data
needed to implement an intervention strategy to foster SWB for women affected by BC/OC,
valuable results were obtained regarding the interest of participants in textile art leisure activities.
The sample from Honduras reported that 84% of its participants were interested in this activity,
74% of women from Portugal and 47% of Nicaraguans. The study confirmed there is a positive
association between SWB and participating in a leisure activity. Statistically significant data was
reported when correlating SWB and leisure engagement, SWB and country, and SWB and
organizations in charge of supporting cancer patients. This presents empirical evidence for the
usefulness of leisure activity engagement as an indicator of SWB. Future studies should consider
testing the correlation between leisure domain and SWB.