Buffering effects of leisure self‐determination on the mental health of older adults

Leisure self‐determination was tested for its capacity to buffer the effects of life stress on the level of depression of older adults. A direct association between leisure‐self‐determination and level depression was also tested. A sample of 152 individuals aged 49 years and over completed a questionnaire which included measures of stress, leisure self‐determination, and depression. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis incorporating an interaction component to represent the buffering effect was used to analyze the data. Higher levels of leisure self‐determination were significantly associated with lower levels of depression regardless of life stress. Leisure self‐determination also acted as a buffer of the association between life stress and depression. The study has significant theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it supports the stress buffering hypothesis of Coleman and Iso‐Ahola (1993) when applied to a sample of older adults. The practical implications of the empirical evidence focus on the importance of fostering leisure self‐determination dispositions through leisure practices, policies, and leadership styles that facilitate and support older adult autonomy in leisure experiences.