Measurement and Analysis Issues with Explanation of Variance in Daily Experience Using the Flow Model

Over the past several years, researchers have used data from the experience sampling method to operationalize flow and non-flow experiences in people's daily lives, including leisure, as indicated by the theory of optimal experiences (Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988). The challenge-skill ratio that is central to that theory has been found to explain only a small portion of the variance of measures of subjective experience (e.g., affect, arousal). The purposes of the present study were to review potential factors that may limit the percentage of variance explained in studies of the flow phenomenon, propose alternative methods of analysis, and compare the explanatory power of the different approaches to analysis. Findings are reported from two separate data sets. The discussion focuses on considerations for future analyses of ESM data and the refinement of the theory of optimal experiences.