Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Capstone Project
Project Type
Qualitative Study
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Program
Occupational Therapy
Program Chair
Gina Tucker-Roghi
Faculty Advisor
Karen McCarthy, PhD, OTR/L
Abstract
Play is one of life’s most meaningful occupations that facilitates exploration and understanding of the world around us, but what does play look like for adults? Play is described as continuous throughout one’s lifetime (Bundy, 1993), however, current research regarding the occupation of play is predominately discussed in the context of children, not in that of adults. Many research studies have addressed play in relation to other occupations such as leisure, work, or rituals (Blanche, 1998), but no occupational science research has been conducted to exclusively explore play as a distinct occupation for adults. Thus, the dimensions of play and the experience of play are still not understood nor are they defined within current occupational science literature. This qualitative descriptive research study aims to contribute to the current understanding of play as an experiential occupation by analyzing its form, function, and meaning. By adding an occupational lens to this phenomenon, this research can deepen the understanding of the experience of play in adults, expand occupational science literature, and broaden the understanding of play as a meaningful occupation in adults. For the purposes of this study, researchers will conduct two semi-structured interviews consisting of questions around the form, function, and meaning of play. Data was analyzed utilizing reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2019). Codes and themes identified were the structure of play, play is in the doing, anytime, anywhere and anything, emotional experience, and intention and outcomes. Gaining an understanding of adult play as a meaningful occupation will add to foundational occupational science knowledge that play in adults exists.