Leisure and Flow in the Treatment of Sexual Offenders

This study concentrated on how leisure activities were distributed and if leisure typologies were worthwhile predictors of treatment progress for men receiving involuntary treatment for sex offending. Twelve men in an early phase of treatment (Phase 2) and eight men further advanced in the treatment program (Phases 3 and 4) were recruited to participate, and completed data collection. . Participants in this study reported leisure typologies in the following order of popularity, social leisure activities (64%); time-out leisure (30%); and achievement leisure (6%) of the time. Data inferred a significant relationship existed between the treatment phase and reports of positive and negative experience (X2= 6.038; df= 2; p = .049). As expected, participation in social and achievement leisure activities produced the highest number of positive experiences and time out leisure activities provided the fewest reports of positive experiences. The data demonstrated a significant relationship existed between the treatment phase and experience valence (X2 = 7.875; df = 1; p =.005), where those who advanced further in treatment phases reported more positive and enjoyable leisure experiences.