Comparison of free time satisfaction and happiness levels of Turkish and foreign university students

The purpose of this study is to examine the leisure satisfaction and happiness levels of Turkish and foreign university students in terms of some socio-demographic characteristics. The sample group of the study consists of 497 students, 247 Turkish and 250 foreign, who were selected by random sampling method and studying at Gümüşhane University. As data collection tools, the Personal Information Form, which includes demographic information of the participants, as well as the Leisure Satisfaction Scale and the Oxford Happiness Scale - Short Form were used. The data were analyzed using the statistical package program using normality test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey multiple comparisons, independent sample t-test, correlation and regression analyses. The findings showed that there was a moderately significant and positive relationship between leisure satisfaction and happiness, and that psychological, social and aesthetic satisfaction sub-dimensions were significant predictors of happiness (p<0.05). In terms of demographic variables, while leisure satisfaction did not show a significant difference between the groups, happiness scores were found to be higher than those of students in the 22–25 age group and high-income students (p<0.05). In addition, male students' happiness averages were higher than female students (p<0.05). While no significant difference was found in the leisure satisfaction and happiness levels of Turkish and foreign students (p>0.05), the happiness levels of non-Muslim students were found to be higher than Muslim students (p<0.05). As a result, we can say that participation and continuity in various structured leisure activities in the university environment play an important role in increasing the general happiness level of students.