An examination of leisure satisfaction level of individuals participating in recreational activities in university communities

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine leisure satisfaction level of individuals participating in recreational activities in university communities. Materials and Methods: This research is based on the convergent parallel design and it is benefit from the mixed research model. The study population consists of the 2071 members of the community of scholars participating in the recreational activities at the Inonu University, while the sample consists of the 485 members if the communities participating in the recreational activities. In the study, the prediction scale, which Karlı and his friends adapted to Turkish, was used. The differences between the variables of the participants' leisure satisfaction levels were tested using one way ANOVA. Variables of participants' gender and income level were compared with independent single sample test. In the qualitative data, the content analysis conversation casts were applied the thematic analysis to the discourses using the Nvivo 11 software package. Findings: It was determined that the highest arithmetical mean value of the participants' was in the relaxation dimension and the lowest arithmetical mean value of the participants' was in the physiological dimension in the leisure satisfaction level scale sub dimensions. According to gender and income variables, there were no significant difference between participants' leisure satisfaction levels. A statistically significant difference was found in age variables. The reasons for being a member of the community in qualitative findings are social integration, physiological and psychological well-being, personal development themes. Conclusion: When the results are examined, it is determined that as the age level increases, the physiological level of leasure time satisfaction increases. It has been observed that the folk dance group has higher levels of leasure time satisfaction than other groups. It has come to the conclusion that being a member of the communities and participating in the activities is for personal development, interest, curiosity, stride away from stress and personal development, physical and psychological self-esteem. At the same time, it was concluded that these people showed their personal development and provided the personal development of their participation in the activities. Key Words: Leisure Time, Recreation, Community, Satisfaction Level