Leisure and Life Satisfaction

Previous research regarding the relationship between leisure and life satisfaction yields consistent yet inconclusive findings. Stockhausen (1998) pointed out that it is difficult to study leisure since leisure has many definitions. Stockhausen noted that the adequate study of leisure activities must define leisure as those activities that are nonwork and for the good of the whole. Loyd and Auld (2002) supported the notion that there are some types of leisure, such as social leisure, that are more satisfying than others.

Research has noted multiple benefits of leisure for all ages and cultures as well as the need for leisure for human beings. Even in a community that is considered peaceful and beautiful, citizens reported the importance of leisure for life satisfaction and quality of life (Zumbo & Michalos, 2000). Leisure becomes even more important with age. Menec (2003) reported findings that the elderly need successful leisure for well-being, life satisfaction, and optimal aging. Social and productive leisure activities are linked to life satisfaction. Leisure activities are related to life satisfaction and other variables such as longevity, independence, locus of control, well-being, and mental and physical health.

Those individuals that have limited access to le

d in social expectations that influenced the amount of time available for physical activity. Although the study included women who were an average age of 56 or 57 years, one-third had a major responsibility for raising grandchildren. Women were considered caretakers in their cultures. Women described themselves as being very busy as caretakers since this responsibility belonged to the females, while males had more opportunities for physical activity. Women gain and maintain their identity through their physical activity choices such as those related to care taking; physical activity sought during free time was based on personal and cultural values (Henderson & Ainsworth, 2000). Wong (2003) reported on the importance of leisure as viewed from the Asian population. In a study of 1,519 elderly Singapore citizens aged 55 years and more, perceptions of life domains, including leisure, were assessed. The elderly population in this location is the fifth fastest aging population in the world. Factors that have an impact on the well-being and quality of life for this population are a focus of study and findings can provide useful information to be applied to all elderly. Findings from surveys showed that these elderly individuals