The meaning of leisure for well-elderly Italians in an Australian community: implications for occupational therapy
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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

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Published on: May 22, 2026
Robert B Pereira1, Karen Stagnitti
1Occupational Therapy Department, Geelong Hospital, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Aim:
This paper documents a study that aimed to discover the meaning of leisure experiences for an ageing Italian community in a large regional centre in Victoria, Australia.
Methods:
This qualitative investigation used a phenomenological study design, and data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 well-elderly Australian Italians.
Results:
Participants engaged in numerous leisure occupations that were meaningful to them and directly impacted on positive subjective experiences and health outcomes.
Conclusion:
This paper adds to an understanding of how leisure impacts on the health of well-elderly Australians and how occupational therapists can use leisure effectively in interventions for successful ageing.
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