Association of Enjoyable Leisure Activities With Psychological and Physical Well-Being

“Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (31), a scale that correlates well with other measures of depressive symptoms and is used widely in diverse populations ( 0.”

“Sleep behaviors were assessed using a modification of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (38), an eight-item scale with the ability to distinguish reliably between good and poor sleepers ( 0.83).”

“Global life satisfaction was measured with the Satisfaction with Life Scale (32) ( 0.87) where participants rate how much they agree with self-descriptive sentences about their satisfaction of life.”

“Scree Plot extraction method (29), one factor emerged in the PEAT (Eigen-”

“These activities typically involve little mental effort, provide a sense of “being away,” maintain engagement, and match the person’s interests and abilities providing relief from the concerns that normally occupy the mind (2,3).”

“This may be due to the presence of PA (but not a lack of NA) encouraging exploration, creativity, and socialization corresponding to the Broaden and Build theory of positive emotions (55).”

“…emotions such as excitement, enthusiasm, and curiosity (emotions elicited or amplified by RC support) to psychological and physical health (Cohen & Pressman, 2006; Fredrickson, 2000; Kashdan, McKnight, Fincham, & Rose, 2011; Kashdan & Silvia, 2009; Pressman & Cohen, 2005; Pressman et al., 2009).”

“For example, individuals may be presented with a checklist of activities in which they are asked for whether they engage in an activity (‘‘Not applicable/Do not enjoy’’) and frequency of engagement (‘‘Never’’ to ‘‘Every Day’’) within the same response scale (e.g., Pressman et al. 2009).”

“Support for exploration and intimate interactions can also increase participation in leisure activities (Pressman et al., 2009) and play (Van Vleet & Feeney, 2015), which promote health through psychosocial and physiological pathways.”

“The societal emphasis on physical appearance often leads individuals to base their worth on how closely they align with these external standards, neglecting other qualities and achievements [72].”

“Individuals can recover from stress and restore social and physical resources (Pressman et al., 2009) through leisure activities.”

“Leisure activities (hereafter LA) can be defined as activities people engage in during free time [1].”

“A greater endorsement to enjoyable activities has been shown to have a positive impact on physical well-being (see Pressman et al. 2009).”

“For example, factors such as social support [40, 41], engagement in pleasant activities [42], self-esteem [43], positive attitudes toward the caregiving role [44], hope [45], and optimism [46] have been associated with improved psychological and physical health in caregivers and a variety of other populations.”

“…affective state (e.g., well-being, vigour, and calm) for adults and seniors, including increased life satisfaction and life engagement, lower blood pressure, lower total cortisol, lower waist circumference, lower body mass index, and perceptions of better physical function (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“In addition, links between psychological and physical well-being have emerged in several studies on the experience of nature (Bodin and Hartig, 2003; Hansmann et al., 2007; Pressman et al., 2009).”

“, lower depressive symptomatology, lower blood pressure) (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“Mental health benefits of leisure time physical ac­ tivity may stem from its association with increased social interac­ tion and opportunities for enjoyment 76 .”

“Moreover, recent cross-sectional evidence has found significant associations between tendencies to engage in leisure activities and a variety of psychological and physical well-being assessments.(21) Individuals reporting higher levels of leisure activity participation were found to display lower depression, negative…”

“These associations were maintained after adjustment for affect balance score at baseline and satisfaction with standard of living, accommodation, and leisure time [30] suggesting that the psychosocial work environWork, Support and Well-Being”

“symptoms, and better physiological and self-reported physical functioning (16,17).”

“Previous research has provided strong evidence that activities have health (mental and physical) and social effects (Lu & Hu, 2005; Pressman et al., 2009; Silverstein & Parker, 2002).”

“Over time, then, it is possible that the increases in positive affect observed in the present study could benefit health (see also Cohen & Pressman, 2006; Pressman et al., 2009).”

“, as ‘‘pleasurable activities that individuals engage in voluntarily when they are free from the demands of work or other assigned responsibilities’’ (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“A previous study found that older people with lower engagement in enjoyable activities had more negative moods and a more negative affect than those with higher engagement [30].”

“Nevertheless, where this has occurred the effects are still significant, though far less pronounced, largely because the intensity rarely approximates that which is prescribed to equal or surpass the effects of drug treatments (Morgan & Bath, 1998; Perraton et al., 2010; Pressman et al., 2009; Teychenne, Ball, & Salmo…”

“Enjoyable leisure activities, in particular, have been associated with psychosocial and physical well-being (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“first hypothesis), we assume that many leisure activities, including holiday trips, are salutary and may serve as ‘breathers’ that provide a chance to take a break, engage in a pleasurable diversionary activity and consequently induce positive emotions and feelings which contribute to increasing individuals’ LS (Iwasa…”

“Leisure engagement, which is defined as engagement in enjoyable activities during the time free from obligations or responsibilities (Pressman et al., 2009), has demonstrable benefits for emotional well-being (Newman et al., 2014).”

“Summing up, the few results so far suggest that specific leisure activities vary in their potential for liberating recovery experiences (see also Pressman et al., 2009; Sonnentag & Fritz, 2007; Tucker, Dahlgren, Åkerstedt, & Waterhouse, 2008).”

“In a recent study, there was an association between participation in enjoyable leisure time activities and higher levels of positive psychological state (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“, [12-14]).”

“, 2012) are associated with depression in older adults, engagement in activities is related to greater psychological well-being (e.g., Gautam, Saito, & Kai, 2007; Jenkins, Pienta & Horgas, 2002; Pressman et al., 2009) and may mediate the negative impact of functional limitations on depression (Benyamini & Lomranz, 200…”

“For example, recent research in noncaregiving adults demonstrated that more frequent engagement in enjoyable leisure activities is associated with increased physical well-being, including lower blood pressure and lower total cortisol (Pressman et al, 2009 ).”

“The Pittsburgh Enjoyable Activities Test scale (PEAT) (Pressman et al., 2009) is a 10 item scale that assesses the frequency of involvement in a spectrum of leisure activities associated with feelings of renewed energy, concentration and mental clarity.”

“PA has also been proposed to play a critical role in restorative behaviors (i.e., the behaviors that encourage homeostasis following challenge; Boehm & Kubzansky, 2012; Pressman & Cohen, 2005; Pressman et al., 2009; Siegel, 2003), sleep included.”

“This finding is consistent with the some literature as travelling is grouped under “restorative activities” and associated with psychological well-being (Pressmen et al., 2009).”

“Given the promise of leisure as a coping resource, multiple stress researchers (Folkman et al., 1997; Pressman et al., 2009) suggested that studying leisure is an important agenda, the result of which can contribute substantial knowledge about how people cope with stress.”

“Recreational activities are mainly performed in leisure time and covers sport and exercise activities, cultural activities, outdoor activities, social activities and similar activities with the purpose of bringing pleasure, joy, amusement and meaning to our lives (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“In addition, using the internet for entertainment and relaxation is to some extent regarded as a leisure activity, which helps people reduce stress and improve health outcomes [47].”

“Our results compliment Western findings of leisure benefits on enhancing quality of life in middle age and reducing risks of dementia in older age (Carlson et al., 2008; Fratiglioni et al., 2004; Pressman et al., 2009; Rovio et al., 2007).”

“Compared with individuals with higher engagement in enjoyable activities, people with lower engagement exhibit increases in negative moods and a more negative affect, which is linked to cognitive functioning (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“…of Depression on Leisure 461 some empirical attention, it has largely been approached from a therapeutic perspective (e.g., Nimrod et al., 2012; Pressman et al., 2009), and leisure has been treated more holistically rather than investigated in specific detail from several perspectives (i.e.,…”

“Leisure activities are broadly defined as activities undertaken during free time, such as exercise and socialising (Mansvelt, 2009; Pressman et al., 2009).”

“Strong supporting evidence has shown leisure and play occupations can lead to greater life satisfaction and quality of life for people across the life span (Brajsažganec et al., 2011; Pressman et al., 2009).”

“First, participation in pleasurable activities in older age is associated with better physiological function and better sleep [5], improving general health and wellbeing.”

“…by the existing literature that tourism activities offer individuals an escape from the routine of daily life and provide an opportunity to experience something different, challenging, or simply pleasurable (e.g., Gross 1961; Diener, Lucas, and Oishi 2002; Prentice 2004; Pressman et al. 2009).”

“Outcomes Health and wellbeing outcomes such as (1) a sense of loneliness; (2) depression; (3) self-reported diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other seriousmemory impairment; (4) sense of meaning in life; (5) happiness; (6) feeling energetic; and (7) optimism.”

“Discussion There is substantial evidence from research on both the general population (Brajša-Žganec et al., 2011, Pressman et al., 2009) and on adolescents and young adults with DS and other types of IDD that leisure activity promotes psychological well-being (e.g., Badia et al., 2011;…”

“The PEAT is a self-report 10-item questionnaire examining participation in leisure activities (α = .72) (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“…established benefits: It provides a sense of control in life, facilitates social relationships (Coleman & Iso-Ahola, 1993; Glover & Parry, 2008), lowers blood pressure (Pressman et al., 2009), and reduces the risk of depression (Iwasaki, Mackay, Mactavish, Ristock, & Bartlett, 2006; Watson, 1988).”

“For instance, with increased age there is a greater tendency to participate in socially oriented activities that engender pleasure such as socializing with friends, or participating in organized activities, or religious services (Bryant, Corbett, & Kutner, 2001; Pressman et al., 2009), perhaps reflecting developmental…”

“There are related questions as to how teacher educators should link the ‘personal’ to the ‘professional’ in the life of teaching (see Pressman et al. 2009), or whether they should develop ability in new teachers to compartmentalise these facets of self.”

“Leisure activities refer to the meaningful activities that individuals voluntarily engage in during their leisure time that are unrelated to making a living and remuneration [4,5].”

“, 2009), is an aspect of daily life that is linked to optimal aging outcomes, such as greater quality of life, better physical health, and higher cognitive functioning in adults in the general population (e.g., Brajsa-Zganec, Merkas, Sverko, 2011; Hughes, Chang, Vander Bilt, & Ganguli, 2010; Pressman et al., 2009).”

“Pressman et al. [68] analyzed ten leisure activities and showed that they are related to a higher level of both psychological and physical well-being.”

“The mediating role of leisure participation in the relation between smartphone use and depressive symptoms among older adults Leisure participation was defined as engagement in enjoyable activities during time free from obligations or responsibilities (Pressman et al., 2009).”

“A recent study (Pressman et al., 2009) has shown that among a large sample of American adults (N1⁄4 1399, 19–89 years), leisure 756 L.”

“…Dupuis & Smale, 1995; Herzog, Franks, Markus, & Holmberg, 1998; Iwasaki, 2006; Kleiber, 1999; Kleiber, Walker, & Mannell, 2011; Lawton, 1994; Lee et al., 2012; Pressman et al., 2009; Siddiquee, Sivsmith, Lawthom, & Haworth, 2016; Siegenthaler & Vaughan, 1998; Zawadzki, Smyth, & Costigan, 2015).”

“Activities taking place during each vacation episode were assessed using an adapted version of the Pittsburgh Enjoyable Activities Test (PEAT: Pressman et al., 2009).”

“Movement can be used as a source of fun, relaxation, self-connection, or contentment to enhance positive affect and life satisfaction at any age (e.g., Agans et al., 2013; Beni et al., 2017; Klussman et al., 2022; Pressman et al., 2009).”

“Leisure can be described as the “pleasurable activities that individuals engage in voluntarily when they are free from the demands of work or other responsibilities” (Pressman et al., 2009, p. 726).”

“, 2011); purpose in life (Kim, Lee, Chun, Han, & Heo, 2017; Pressman et al., 2009), Ryff’s (1989) six-factor conceptualisation of psychological well-being (Ma, Tan, & Ma, 2012) and the psychological wellness items of the Perceived Wellness Scale (Adams et al.”

“Sadness, as a highly self-focused negative emotion, is one of the emotional expressions of depressive states (47, 48).”