The purpose of the research study was to investigate the leisure behavior, social avoidance and distress, social self-efficacy, life satisfaction, global function, and negative symptoms of 26 individuals with chronic mental illnesses who reside in group homes. The study used a treatment group and a control group design to evaluate the effectiveness of a residential leisure education program. Pre and post intervention data was collected using standardized self-report instruments including the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale. Additional data was obtained from staff from evaluation of participants using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the Global Assessment of Functioning. Observational data were also employed in the study to quantify changes in behavior of a randomly selected subset of research participants. Results indicated statistically significant improvements in social self-efficacy, global function, quality of leisure behavior and decreases in severity of negative symptoms and social avoidance and distress. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]