Leisure and Wellbeing

This book provides an interdisciplinary collection of theoretical and methodological contributions critically exploring the connections between leisure and wellbeing. It expands the field of leisure studies to highlight the contribution of international scholars to a developing agenda in leisure and wellbeing research. Authors from many different countries engage with the complexity of subjective wellbeing through the lenses of diverse leisure cultures. Collectively, the chapters represent rigorous high-quality social science research, informed by innovative methods that can build knowledge about the intricate ways leisure cultures and subjective wellbeing are related to each other. The book serves to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the complexity of wellbeing experiences, and the diversity of contexts in which wellbeing is enhanced or reduced through taking part in leisure pursuits.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal Leisure Studies.

Louise Mansfield is Professor of Sport, Health and Social Sciences, Vice Dean for Research and Co-Director of the Centre for Health and Wellbeing across the Lifecourse in the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Brunel University London, UK. Her research focuses on the relationship between communities, sport, and public health and wellbeing. She has conducted her work with diverse population groups in different contexts and has over 15 years’ experience of leading multidisciplinary and cross-sector research projects. Louise is known for developing evidence to inform policy and practice.

Norma Daykin is Professor Emerita in Arts in Health at the University of the West of England, UK. She is a Social Scientist known for her award-winning research on arts, health and well-being. Her research has spanned a wide range of methodologies and topics, from the impact of hospital design on patient wellbeing through to the impact of participatory arts in mental health, primary care, community, and justice settings.