Leisure and life perceptions of a mid-life woman experiencing an epiphany associated with family
Carpenter, G.
World Leisure Journal 45(4): 44-54
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1607-8055 DOI: 10.1080/04419057.2003.9674336Document Number: 318953
This case study (conducted from 1987-96) examined the leisure and life perceptions of a middle-aged woman experiencing an 'epiphany' related to family. During the time that Connie (pseudonym) was a participant in a longitudinal study about leisure and life perceptions during middle adulthood, she had an existentially problematic experience (an epiphany) in her life. Her adult twin daughters, given up at birth, unexpectedly re-entered her life 22 years later. This study examined change and stability in Connie's leisure attitude, valuing leisure, perceived freedom in leisure, life structure, wants-out-of-life, and ranking family, work, and leisure before and after the epiphany. Three sources of data (longitudinal data, self-report interview data, and tape-recorded responses about the epiphany) were analysed. Results showed stability in perceptions related to leisure attitude, values, perceived freedom, the importance of family, and change in her perceptions of life structure, wants-out-of-life, and leisure behaviour. The study also suggested that positive leisure perceptions may be influential in forming new family structures.