Leisure--A Criterion of Mental Health.

The term leisure has two quite distinct usages. On the one hand, the term leisure denotes residual or free time, and on the other hand, it denotes a state of mind that is characterized by perceived freedom and intrinsic motivation. Leisure and mental health are causally related to one another, first because the absence or presence of free time may lead to changes in mental health and also because one's state of mental health may affect the degree to which a person can experience leisure. In light of this interrelationship between leisure and mental health, existing programs focusing on the constructive use of free time for the improvement of mental health should be supported and additional programs should be developed. Furthermore, by including the leisure experience, rather than only the use of free time, as a criterion in the diagnosis of mental health, practitioners will arrive at a better understanding of potential malfunctioning in patients. It is important that mental health professionals and leisure professionals bear in mind the distinction between the concepts of free time and the leisure experience. (MN)