The relationship between perceived freedom in leisure and happiness levels: Sample of dance schools

The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the levels of perceived freedom in leisure and happiness of the individuals trained at dance school with recreation purposes in various cities of Turkey. The population of the study consists of individuals participating in trainings at dance schools in different cities of Turkey whereas the sample group consists of a total of 987 volunteer individuals (Medage=25.43 ± 6.66), 424 male and 563 female, who are trained at dance schools. As data collection tools, demographic information form developed by the researcher, "Oxford Happiness Scale – Short Form (OHS-SF)" adapted into Turkish language by Doğan and Çötok (2011) and "Perceived Freedom in Leisure Scale (PFLS)" adapted into Turkish language by Yerlisu Lapa and Ağyar (2017) were used. In the statistical analysis of the obtained data; frequency, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, as well as t test, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation tests were used for the independent variables. In order to test if data meet prerequisites for parametric tests, Skewness and Kurtosis values (normal distribution of data) and Levene (variant equilibrium) test results were determined. According to the findings, there are statistically significant differences in the scores of perceived freedom in leisure in terms of "marital status", "employment", "weekly leisure duration", "having difficulty in making use of leisure", "membership at dance schools", "frequency of befitting from trainings" and "obtained dance training type" variables; on the other hand, there are statistically significant differences in the scores of happiness levels in terms of "marital status", "age", "weekly leisure duration", "having difficulty in making use of leisure", "membership at dance schools", "frequency of befitting from trainings" and "obtained dance training type" variables. Also, there is a low level and positive correlation between PFLS and OHS. As a result, it is concluded that perceived freedom in leisure levels and happiness levels of the individuals participating in the activities at dance schools that carry on their activities in Turkey are high. Furthermore, perceived freedom in leisure which is an indicator of happiness has been found to affect directly and indirectly to the happiness of individuals. Thus, it can be said that the participation of the individuals who consist the sample of the current study in activities/trainings at dance schools can be said to increase the perceived freedom and happiness levels.