"Free Spirit, Happy Individual": The Moderating Role of Perceived Freedom in Leisure on the Relationship Between Resilience and Happiness

Authors : Cemal Yalçın, Muhittin Altindöker

Pages : 190-198

Doi:10.15314/tsed.1549679

View : 112 | Download : 226

Publication Date : 2025-08-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Although it is known that perceived freedom in leisure has various psychological benefits, there are very limited studies that present the relationships between these benefits as a theoretical model and examine them in depth. In this context, the aim of the study is to investigate the moderating role of perceived freedom in leisure on the relationship between resilience and happiness. Method: The study group of the correlational survey model research consisted of 674 university students, 345 female and 329 male, selected by simple convenience sampling method (Meanage=21,50±1.86). \\\'\\\'Perceived Freedom in Leisure Scale (PFLS)\\\'\\\', \\\'\\\'Brief Resilience Scale (BRS)\\\'\\\' and \\\'\\\'Oxford Happiness Scale - Short Form (OHQ-SF)\\\'\\\' were used to collect data in the study. After testing the basic assumptions of parametric tests, Pearson correlation analysis and confirmatory factor analysis with SPSS AMOS 24 for the reliability and validity of the measurements were performed and it was found that the measurement model fit statistics were within acceptable limits (χ2 = 1530.55, df = 319, χ2/df = 4.79; GFI = 90, NFI = 90; CFI = 91 and RMSEA = 0.075). In order to test the hypotheses created within the scope of the study, a structural equation model was created and analyses were performed using the SPSS Process Macro extension (Model 1). Findings: The moderating role of perceived freedom in leisure on the effect of resilience on happiness level was found to be significant ( β  = 0,13, p  < 0,01, t  = 2,25, [CI = 0,01, 0,25]). When the perceived freedom in leisure is high, the effect of resilience on happiness level is higher ( β  = 0,45, p  < 0,01, t  = 8,85, [CI = 0,35, 0,55]). Conclusion: A high level of perceived freedom in leisure revealed that the effect of resilience on the level of happiness would be higher. Increasing the level of perceived freedom in leisure in young people has led to the idea that it can make significant contributions to their psychological health.
Keywords : Perceived in Leisure, Resilience, Happiness, Moderating Role, Psychological Health

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