Leisure Activity Impacts and Optimization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.2414Keywords:
leisure, leisure optimization, well-being, activitiesAbstract
This study investigated the well-being impacts of leisure engagement on individuals and sought to identify factors that influence the benefits of participation. Relevant peer-reviewed literature was analyzed to explore implications for optimizing leisure participation. The study found that demographic characteristics, personality traits, and prior health conditions impact the well-being and satisfaction effects of leisure. Additionally, considering these factors in the intentional selection of activities significantly enhances satisfaction and well-being. Those who participate in leisure should take a balanced approach and engage in multiple activities to assist in leisure optimization. Future research should further explore the factors that influence leisure optimization to identify strategies for improving well-being.
References
Avunduk, Y. (2021). The relationship between leisure satisfaction and social media
addictions of individuals at university. Journal of Educational Issues, 7(1), 507.
https://doi.org/10.5296/jei.v7i1.18592
Barkley, J. E., & Lepp, A. (2016). Mobile phone use among college students is a sedentary
leisure behavior which may interfere with exercise. Computers in Human Behavior, 56,
-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.001
Barnett, L. A. (2013). What people want from their leisure. Journal of Leisure Research,
(2), 150-191. https://doi.org/10.18666/jlr-2013-v45-i2-3010
Blackshaw, T. (2016). Re-imagining leisure studies. Taylor & Francis.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315708317
Carruthers, C. P., & Hood, C. D. (2004). The power of the positive: leisure and well-being.
Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 38(2), 225-245.
https://js.sagamorepub.com/index.php/trj
Chang, P., Wray, L., & Lin, Y. (2014). Social relationships, leisure activity, and health in older
adults. Health Psychology, 33(6), 516-523. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000051
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17547-x
Dirzyte, A., Patapas, A., & Perminas, A. (2022). Associations between leisure preferences,
mindfulness, psychological capital, and life satisfaction. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 4121.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074121
Fancourt, D., Aughterson, H., Finn, S., Walker, E., & Steptoe, A. (2021). How leisure
activities affect health: A narrative review and multi-level theoretical framework of
mechanisms of action. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(4), 329-339.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30384-9
Gonnard, T., Clarys, D., Boucard, G., & Esnard, C. (2023). Positive impact of social
relationships fostered by physical and/or cognitive group activity on older people’s
quality of life: PRISMA systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1166072
Lee, Y., Chi, I., & Palinkas, L. A. (2018). Retirement, leisure activity engagement, and
cognition among older adults in the United States. Journal of Aging and Health, 31(7),
-1234. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264318767030
Matz-Costa, C., Carr, D. C., McNamara, T. K., & James, J. B. (2016). Physical, cognitive,
social, and emotional mediators of activity involvement and health in later life. Research
on Aging, 38(7), 791-815. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027515606182
Padhy, M., Valli, S. K., Pienyu, R., Padiri, R. A., & Chelli, K. (2015). Leisure motivation and
well-being among adolescents and young adults. Psychological Studies, 60(3), 314-320.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-015-0327-5
Pressman, S. D., Matthews, K. A., Cohen, S., Martire, L. M., Scheier, M., Baum, A., &
Schulz, R. (2009). Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and
physical well-being. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(7), 725-732.
https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0b013e3181ad7978
Toepoel, V. (2012). Ageing, leisure, and social connectedness: How could leisure help
reduce social isolation of older people? Social Indicators Research, 113(1), 355-372.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0097-6
Wang, E. (2008). The relationship between leisure satisfaction and life satisfaction of
adolescents concerning online games. Adolescence, 43(169), 177-184.
Watts, E. L., Matthews, C. E., Freeman, J. R., Gorzelitz, J. S., Hong, H. G., Liao, L. M.,
McClain, K. M., Saint-Maurice, P. F., Shiroma, E. J., & Moore, S. C. (2022).
Association of leisure time physical activity types and risks of all-cause, cardiovascular,
and cancer mortality among older adults. JAMA Network Open, 5(8).
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.28510
Weziak-Bialowolska, D., Bialowolski, P., & Sacco, P. L. (2023). Mind-stimulating leisure
activities: Prospective associations with health, wellbeing, and longevity. Frontiers in
Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1117822
Zhao, X., Yu, J., & Liu, N. (2023). Relationship between specific leisure activities and
successful aging among older adults. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 21(1),
Downloads
Posted
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Briley Ballard

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license