Measuring health quality of life, wellbeing, and social and personal relationship outcomes through participation in adapted recreation

Abstract

Across the world there are millions of children, youth, and adults that live with some form of a physical, cognitive or mental health limitation. The use of recreation therapy, outdoor recreation, and adapted recreation are underutilized services that can assist in the quality of life and wellbeing experience for individuals of all abilities. As such, this study aimed to fill a gap in the current literature by investigating the outcomes of two adapted recreation activities for children, youth and adults living with physical, cognitive and mental health challenges. This pilot study addresses two questions 1) Will engaging in one session of Equine Assisted Therapy impact social skills and personal relationship characteristics in participants ages 8-30 living with physical and mental health disorders? 2) Will engaging in one adapted fishing experience impact Health Quality of Life and wellbeing for clients living with physical, cognitive, and mental health issues and for volunteers and family/ caregivers ages 18 +? Findings indicate that recreation therapy in the form of equine assisted therapy and adapted fishing are likely to have positive impacts on social and personal relationship skills and positive impacts on self-perceived quality of life and wellbeing.