On the Theoretical Link between Personality and Leisure

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine recent developments in personality research and then, on this basis, to enhance the significance of research on personality and leisure. A theoretical relationship between personality and leisure is first examined from the traditional trait approach and then from the point of view of implicit personality, especially in relation to attributional derivations. After discussing these two main approaches and their implications, several basic issues are raised about the relationship between personality and leisure behavior. Cautions are expressed toward taking the trait approach, and an attributional analysis of personality and leisure is supported. A subjective definition of leisure is to underlie the examination of this relationship.