Leisure lack and the quality of life: the broadening scope of the leisure professional

A psychological or state-of-mind conceptualization of leisure is shown to link leisure to the overall quality of life. As a consequence, the scope of the leisure professional is broadened and the interdisciplinary nature of leisure studies emphasized. Leisure lack, the chronic or temporary absence of the experience of leisure, is seen to be the result of either personal or societal factors and/or their interaction. Minimizing leisure lack is identified as the primary task of the leisure professional. The measurement of leisure (and leisure lack) is an essential condition of this endeavour.