45890
document
Effects of a leisure programme on quality of life and stress of individuals with ASD . BACKGROUND Even though there is research demonstrating a positive relationship between leisure participation and the two constructs of quality of life and stress reduction , current conceptualisation of leisure as a contributor to quality of life is limited . In addition , in spite of improvements in accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) at increasingly earlier ages and proliferation of interventions , research associated with leisure and quality of life for people with ASD is lacking . METHODS Therefore , a study using a repeated measures design was used to measure effects of a 1-year group leisure programme intended to facilitate interaction with media , engagement in exercise , playing games and doing crafts , attending events , and participating in other recreation activities on quality of life and stress of 37 participants ( 22 male , 15 female ) , ages 17-39 ( M = 31.49 ) years at the beginning of the programme ) diagnosed with an ASD and a group of 34 adults with ASD as control group ( waiting list ) ( 19 male , 15 female ) , ages 24-38 ( M = 30 at programme initiation ) years . RESULTS There was a significant decrease in overall scores of stress levels for participants over the course of the study and there was a significant increase in the four factors of quality of life that were measured ( satisfaction , independence , competence and social interaction ) as well as the total score for quality of life from baseline to the end of the intervention 12 months later . In contrast , the control group demonstrated no significant improvements related to stress or quality of life . Implications of these findings to leisure services and the quality of life of individuals with ASD are discussed . CONCLUSION Findings support the contention that participation in recreation activities positively influenced the stress and quality of life of adults with ASD .
45891
Intervention_Educational
leisure programme
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Intervention_Educational
1-year group leisure programme
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Intervention_Educational
interaction with media
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Intervention_Educational
engagement in exercise
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Intervention_Educational
playing games and doing crafts
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Intervention_Educational
attending events
45897
Intervention_Educational
participating in other recreation activities
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Outcome_Other
quality of life
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Outcome_Mental
stress
45900
Outcome_Other
quality of life
45901
Outcome_Mental
stress
45902
Outcome_Mental
stress levels
45903
Outcome_Other
quality of life
45904
Outcome_Mental
satisfaction
45905
Outcome_Mental
independence
45906
Outcome_Mental
competence
45907
Outcome_Mental
social interaction
45908
Outcome_Other
total score for quality of life
45909
Outcome_Mental
stress
45910
Outcome_Other
quality of life
45911
Outcome_Other
quality of life
45912
Outcome_Mental
stress
45913
Outcome_Other
quality of life
45914
Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorder ( ASD )
45916
Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Sample-size
37
45918
Participant_Sex
22 male , 15 female
45919
Participant_Age
ages 17-39 ( M = 31.49 ) years
45920
Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Sample-size
34 adults
45922
Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Sex
19 male , 15 female
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Participant_Age
ages 24-38
45925
Participant_Condition
ASD
45926
Participant_Age
adults
45927
Participant_Condition
ASD