Culturally Meaningful Leisure Among Caribbean Diaspora Older Adults in the United States: A Qualitative Study

Leisure participation supports well-being and positive aging; however, limited research has examined culturally meaningful leisure among Caribbean older adults living in diaspora communities. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of culturally relevant leisure and its relationship to well-being and quality of life among community-dwelling Caribbean older adults in the United States. Ten participants completed in-depth semi-structured interviews examining leisure participation, cultural meaning, and wellness. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: Culturally Meaningful Leisure as Preservation of Identity and Heritage; Leisure as Collective Connection and Belonging; Leisure as Spiritual, Emotional, and Occupational Sustenance; and Negotiating Participation Within Diaspora Contexts. Findings revealed that culturally meaningful leisure supported identity, belonging, social participation, faith, family connection, and service. Participants described leisure as reinforcing cultural continuity and emotional well-being within the context of migration and aging.