Work-leisure relationships from a sociological and social psychological perspective

Some of the major theoretical approaches to the study of the work-leisure relationship are examined. Theoretical conceptualization is confronted with empirical findings and some avenues for further research are suggested. The first section maps some of the major approaches taken in the study of the work-leisure relationship in the social science literature. The second section focuses on the central issue in the debate on the work-leisure relationship, namely, the effects of the structure (content) of work and work-related attitudes on leisure behaviour and leisure-related attitudes. The third section examines empirical evidence collected by social scientists studying the work-leisure relationship. The fourth section attempts to answer the question of why social science research on the work-leisure relationship has produced, thus far, few conclusive and statistically significant findings. The final section summarizes the discussion and suggests certain research strategies for future sociological and socio-psychological studies of the work-leisure relationship.