Retirees' Leisure: Activities, Benefits, and their Contribution to Life Satisfaction

Abstract

This article examines the structures of leisure activities and leisure benefits of individuals who have recently retired. It also explores the contribution of leisure activities and benefits to a higher life satisfaction at this phase of life. The study is based on in‐person quantitative interviews with 383 retirees in an Israeli national sample survey. Results indicate that there are 13 factors of leisure activities and five factors of leisure benefits, all of which are interrelated. Six of the activity factors contribute significantly to retirees' life satisfaction (high culture and ‘dolce‐vita’, free out of home activities, spirituality and enrichment, popular culture, following generation, and independent home activities). The only leisure benefit that indicates a significant influence on life satisfaction is essentiality. The results of this study support and clarify the Activity Theory, and enhance understanding of the role of leisure in achieving a high level of life satisfaction, which is equivalent to a successful adaptation to retirement.

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