Exploring Patterns of Partnered Leisure Through a Disability-Affirming Lens: Frequency, Variety, Satisfaction, and Barriers

The concept of self-expansion is repeatedly used by relationship scientists to explain satisfaction and attraction in romantic relationships, as couples participate in passion-enhancing, novel activities (Aron & Aron, 1986). Engaging in enjoyable and challenging experiences together can positively benefit relationship satisfaction, passion, and the perception that their partner meets their needs, by providing shared opportunities for growth and skill development (Bokek-Cohen & Halamish-Leshem, 2024; Ward et al., 2014). Research also suggests that everyday collaborative tasks can contribute to self-expansion (Graham, 2008). Leisure is a broad concept defined as individually-chosen activities pursued during one’s free time outside of work (Orthner, 1975; 1976). Intimacy researchers categorize leisure by the type of activity in a few different ways: (1) independent couple leisure, without one’s partner, (2) joint couple leisure, mutual participation and interaction, (3) parallel couple leisure, group activities that do not facilitate interaction or sharing, and (4) core and balance leisure, which distinguishes between low-cost, home-based activities and infrequent, planned activities that require more resources (Orthner, 1975; Townsend et al., 2017). Joint, shared, or partnered leisure activities can serve as a site for self-expansion within a relationship, as they provide partners with the opportunity to create meaningful experiences. Existing research largely overlooks couples in which one or more members identify as having a disability, mental illness, or chronic illness, and often ignores how structural, social, and financial barriers can impact participation, despite evidence to show that partnered leisure engagement can support relational well-being (Fulford & Cobigo, 2016; Hankle et al., 2022; Puyaltó et al., 2019; Ward et al., 2014). Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities report valuing intimacy, trust, playfulness, and emotional closeness in their relationships, yet their autonomy is frequently constrained by caregiver oversight and social stereotypes (Bates et al., 2016; Martino & Moumos, 2023; McCarthy et al., 2021). Novel partnered leisure, as conceptualized by relationship scientists, may be similarly restricted. However, disabled romantic partnerships often actively reconstruct what counts as meaningful leisure by creating relationally significant experiences through shared routines, conversations, or downtime together (Bates et al., 2016; Fulford & Cobigo, 2016; Piepzna-Samarasinha, 2019, 2024). These adaptive approaches to partnered leisure illustrate the diverse ways that disabled people experience and prioritize shared activities. The current project aims to build on the literature and provide a clear, systematic description of partnered leisure activity types, frequencies, and associated satisfaction among participants who self-identify as having a disability, chronic health condition, or mental health condition.