Use of recreation activities as positive coping with chronic
stress and mental health outcomes associated with unemployment of people with
disabilities
Affiliations: Counselor Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA | Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA | Dept of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology and
Rehabilitation and Human Services, The Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, PA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Joshua L. Kerr, 10555 W. Jewell Ave,
Lakewood, CO 80232, USA. Tel.: +1 724 747 0093; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: This paper provides an outline of the complex
relationship among stress, unemployment, mental health, and participation in
recreation activities as a possible adaptive coping strategy for people with
disabilities. Methods: This paper is a result of a two-phase review of the
literature. Phase one included review of articles that examined the
relationship among unemployment, stress, and mental health outcomes for people
with disabilities. Phase two included articles that examined the efficacy of
recreation activities as a means of buffering stress. Results: Research indicates a cyclical process that occurs when
people with disabilities experience unemployment; this unemployment often leads
to chronic stress which in turn leads to negative mental health, symptoms that
create further barriers to unemployment. Recreation activities that are
physically active, culturally relevant, and conducive to relaxation were found
to be effective at reducing the types of stressors experienced with
unemployment. Conclusions: A complex relationship among unemployment, stress,
mental health, and participation in recreation activities as a possible
adaptive coping strategy exists for people with disabilities. An understanding
of the types of recreation activities that are likely to reduce specific
stressors associated with unemployment may be beneficial to consider as part of
a comprehensive treatment plan when working with individuals with disabilities
as they engage in the job seeking process.
