Time use of unemployed adults: exploration of temporal structure

The purposeful use of time has the potential to maintain health and enhance well-being. Job loss dramatically disrupts temporal pattern and routines of daily life. Currently 14.4% of the Irish population are unemployed. This study explores how the experience of unemployment affects temporal structure. Four participants were recruited, all of whom were over 18, unemployed and had been for less than two years. A descriptive case study design was utilised and quantitative data was collected via Economic and Social Research Institute Time Use Survey. Participants recorded their time use over 24hours marking off pre-coded activities categories. The findings show that participants in the study engaged in sport and leisure activities, self care, and productivity activities in the form of household management tasks. Over 75% of their time was spent in the home. Participants introduced new leisure and social activities following the OT intervention. The overall time use pattern’s of the four participants in this study reflects their ability to establish a balanced daily structure. Participants adapted to unemployment by restructuring their daily routine. Further research is warranted into the development of occupational therapy interventions focusing on the quality of time with the aim of living well while unemployed.