The Impact of Stress on Different Leisure Dimensions

Abstract

Can participation in different types of leisure activities help to reduce people's stress levels? This study investigated different dimensions of leisure activities in order to ascertain which ones best reduced people's stress levels. Data were obtained via mail from a sample of 252 Australians. Respondents were asked to indicate their choice of a leisure activity-first, uring times of stress and, second, during stress-free times. This study extracted eight major dimensions of leisure, and participation levels of the three groups were found to differ on these leisure dimensions. Overall. there was a general reduction in participation in leisure activities when stressed compared with stress-free situations. Three groups who had different leisure repertoires were also identified. It was found that individuals in these groups adjusted their leisure differently when under stress.