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. 2022 Jun;89(2):103-114.
doi: 10.1177/00084174211073266. Epub 2022 Feb 14.

Leisure Possibilities of Adults Experiencing Poverty: A Community-Based Participatory Study

Pamela Cantor, Monika Polakowska, Amanda Proietti, Victor Tran, Jonathan Lebire, Laurence Roy

Leisure Possibilities of Adults Experiencing Poverty: A Community-Based Participatory Study

Pamela Cantor et al. Can J Occup Ther. 2022 Jun.

Abstract
in English, French

Background. Poverty disproportionally affects persons with disabilities, elderly individuals and racialized groups. Leisure, play and rest are not prioritized in either services for or research with people living in poverty. Purpose. This study aims to examine the facilitators and barriers to participation in meaningful leisure activities for adults living in poverty. Method. We used community-based participatory research and art-based elicitation strategies with 39 service users at a food security organization. Findings. Individuals experiencing poverty value and engage in a variety of free and affordable leisure activities, but they are not afforded the necessary leisure opportunities, accommodations and supports as the general population. We co-created a map of local leisure resources to foster collective capacity in leisure planning, and to support organizations working with this population. Implications. Occupational therapists can work alongside members of underserved communities to uncover and address the systemic and local contextual barriers to engagement in leisure activities.

Description. La pauvreté touche de manière disproportionnée les personnes en situation de handicap, les personnes âgées et les groupes racisés. Les loisirs, le jeu et le repos ne sont jamais prioritaires parmi les services offerts aux personnes en situation de pauvreté ou les recherches qui les concernent. But. La présente étude vise à examiner les facilitateurs et les obstacles à la participation à des activités de loisir significatives pour les adultes qui vivent dans la pauvreté. Méthodologie. Nous avons réalisé une recherche participative en milieu communautaire et utilisé des stratégies de stimulation de la conversation basées sur les arts auprès de 39 utilisateurs et utilisatrices des services d’un organisme de sécurité alimentaire. Résultats. Les personnes en situation de pauvreté participent à diverses activités de loisir gratuites ou abordables et y accordent de l’importance, mais elles n’ont pas accès aux mêmes possibilités, aux mêmes accommodements et au même soutien que la population en général. Nous avons cocréé une carte des ressources locales en matière de loisir afin de stimuler la capacité collective à planifier des loisirs, et de soutenir les organismes qui travaillent auprès de cette population. Conséquences. Les ergothérapeutes peuvent travailler auprès de membres de communautés mal desservies de manière à faire ressortir les obstacles systémiques et contextuels à la participation aux activités de loisir et y trouver des solutions.

Keywords: Déterminants sociaux de la santé; Occupational engagement; Participatory research; Poverty; Social determinants of health; engagement occupationnel; pauvreté; recherche participative.

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