Productive leisure activity among women living with breast and ovary cancer: an alternative intervention strategy to improve their subjective well-being (SWB)

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between leisure engagement and the subjective well-being of women with breast and/or ovary cancer diagnosis in Portugal, Honduras and Nicaragua. A mixed methods approach was designed where 7 participants were involved in a leisure activity (assembling post-surgical bras) in a peer-based group. Furthermore, 128 participants were surveyed through a questionnaire including 7 life domains mentioned as indicators of SWB. This study gathered data regarding the social support sources of participants and their experiences with illness. In addition, the quantitative portion of the research indicated the main benefits of being engaged in a leisure activity: developing new talents, building a support network, increasing self-esteem and avoid overthinking about illness. Crucial to the preliminary data needed to implement an intervention strategy to foster SWB for women affected by BC/OC, valuable results were obtained regarding the interest of participants in textile art leisure activities. The sample from Honduras reported that 84% of its participants were interested in this activity, 74% of women from Portugal and 47% of Nicaraguans. The study confirmed there is a positive association between SWB and participating in a leisure activity. Statistically significant data was reported when correlating SWB and leisure engagement, SWB and country, and SWB and organizations in charge of supporting cancer patients. This presents empirical evidence for the usefulness of leisure activity engagement as an indicator of SWB. Future studies should consider testing the correlation between leisure domain and SWB.