Evaluation of health perception of desk workers in terms of leisure attitude and leisure participation

The occupational disadvantages of desk workers who are exposed to long sitting periods during working hours lead a sedentary life style. Sedentary life style negatively affects the health of desk workers in terms of physical, physiological, social and psychological aspects. Therefore, the health perception of desk workers will be affected depending on leisure attitude and behavior. The aim of this study is not only to determine the relationship among leisure attitude, leisure participation and perception of health, but also to present the effect of leisure attitudes and leisure participation on health perception, by identifying the health perception, leisure attitudes and participation of the desk workers. Correlational survey model was used in the research. The population of the study consisted of desk workers who work in state and private organizations in Afyonkarahisar. The sample of the study consisted of a total 434 desk working individuals-179 females and 255 males- who voluntarily participated from this population. A questionnaire consisting of a personal information form, a health perception scale, a leisure participation scale and a leisure attitude scale was used as data collection tool. Descriptive statistics, explanatory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, t-test for independent samples and one-way ANOVA of variance tests were used in the analysis of the data. Moreover, the research model is presented with the Structural Equation Model. In the study it was found that the mean score of leisure participation of women was higher than that of men and the participation of married ones higher than that of single ones. It was determined that the mean score of leisure attitude and leisure participation of the individuals who exercise regularly are higher compared to those who do not exercise regularly. In addition, it was determined that the demographic characteristics of the participants didn't make any difference in their health perception scores. While there was a statistically significant positive correlation between leisure attitude and leisure participation mean scores of the participants, there was no relationship among leisure attitudes and leisure participation scores and health perception scores. Furthermore, it was put forth that the participants' leisure attitudes did not have a statistically significant effect on health perception, whereas leisure attitudes had a statistically significant effect on health perception. It was also determined that this alone had no effect on the perception of health, but it was found that mediating variable interaction between leisure participation together with leisure attitude had a significant effect on health perception. As a result, it was determined that participants' leisure attitudes, leisure participations and health perceptions were above the mean score. It was also found out that there is a positive relationship between leisure attitudes and leisure participation. In addition, it was determined that together with the mediating variable of leisure participation, leisure attitude affects the health perception. The results of this descriptive study are considered to be a reference for experimental studies. Key words : Desk workers, recreation, health perception, leisure participation, leisure attitude