Citation

Purcell RZ, Keller MJ. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1989; 13(4): 17-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v13n04_03

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In recent years, research has been conducted explor- ing relationships between leisure satisfaction, leisure participation, and life satisfaction (Graney, 1975; Neugarten, Havighurst & To- bin, 1961; Ragheb & Griffeth, 1982; Riddick & Daniel, 1984; Rus- sell, 1988). In the field of gerontology, a variety of studies have demonstrated that older persons need both reciprocity and control in order to achieve life satisfaction (Gatz, Popkin, Pino & VandenBos, 1985; Goodman, 1985; Langer & Rodin, 1976; Schulz & Brenner, 1977). However, the psychological needs of reciprocity and control as characteristics of leisure activities which lead to life satisfaction are in need of further investigation. - This paper examines the literature in order to illustrate that reci- orocitv and control are characteristics of leisure activities which h e b gged persons achieve life satisfaction. Known characteristics of lei- sure activities which lead to either leisure or life satisfaction are reviewed. Following this review, selected studies of reciprocity and control are highlighted and discussed. Then, the proposed relation- ship between leisure activities, reciprocity, and control is addressed. A discussion of applications for practitioners follows.