Relationships Among Motivational Orientation, Level of Leisure Activity, and Life Satisfaction in Older Men and Women

With telephone and mailed questionnaire data from 217 persons between the ages of 40 and 89 years and residing in a midwestern city, the effects of selected aspects of motivation on levels of leisure activity and life satisfaction were investigated. Differences between employed and retired persons and between men and women were examined. Analysis of covariance, with a measure of problem perception serving as a covariate, was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that three motivational orientations--challenge seeking, concern with recognition and reward, and family focus--were systematically related to life satisfaction in the sample. The study provides an explanation for some of the inconsistencies in the literature on activity theory and strongly suggests that blanket prescriptions for increases in leisure activity are not necessarily desirable for all retired persons.