Is Work Opposed to Leisure? The Effect of Work-Related Stress on Leisure Involvement in the Night-Time Economy Context

Given the boom in the night-time economy, tremendous changes have taken place in the leisure activities of urban residents. It becomes particularly important to re-examine the work-leisure relationship. Based on the conservation of resources theory, this paper constructs a conceptual framework from work-related stress to leisure involvement. The results, according to questionnaire data from 533 urban residents, indicate that work-related stress drives the leisure involvement of urban residents in the era of the night-time economy. Furthermore, residents’ mental stress, perceived exhaustion, and entertainment-seeking motive constitute a multi-stage conduction path of “consumption-motive-leisure” in the work-leisure conversion. Finally, nightlife contributes to a positive moderating effect on the relationship between the entertainment-seeking motive and leisure involvement. Based on the background of the booming night-time economy, this study challenges and expands the previous research framework and theoretical system on the work-leisure conflict and provides practical significance for improving the welfare of urban residents.