Satisfaction with Leisure Time Activities

Abstract

This study explains leisure satisfaction as determined by the perceived discrepancy between the actual and the desired situation, and by perceptions of internal and external barriers that block the attainment of the desired situation. Special attention is given to socioeconomic determinants. It is concluded that leisure satisfaction is higher for people who are older and have an optimistic outlook. They do not perceive a discrepancy between their actual and desired number of hours spent on leisure activities. Persons with a low leisure satisfaction are younger and have a pessimistic outlook. They perceive internal barriers (personal interest, capacity) that block them from spending more time on some leisure activities. Persons with medium leisure satisfaction perceive external barriers (time, money, circumstances) that block them from spending more time on some leisure activities. A tentative conclusion is that people from lower social classes more often belong to this latter group (medium leisure satisfaction), while people from middle social classes more often are characterized by a low leisure satisfaction. People from high social classes report most leisure satisfaction.