The effect of leisure participation on the life quality: The mediating role of leisure satisfaction and perceived stress

Many factors affect the quality of life. When the literature is examined, it is seen that the research focuses on physiological health, economic status and social factors. In this research, the focus is on leisure participation, leisure satisfaction and perceived stress level, which are outside of these factors. The aim of the research is to reveal how leisure participation affects the quality of life. In the context of this aim, the mediating role of leisure satisfaction and perceived stress level was examined. The research was conducted on associate, bachelor, master and doctoral students studying in Ankara in the academic year 2020-2021. Data were collected from a total of 697 students. In order to collect data, a questionnaire was used. Structural Equation Modeling was also used to determine the relationships between the variables. According to the results of the research, leisure participation improves the quality of life. Leisure satisfaction also shows a full mediating role. However, there is no mediating effect of perceived stress level. Leisure satisfaction increases the quality of life and reduces the perceived level of stress. The perceived stress level has no effect on leisure, but it reduces the quality of life. The research has revealed that satisfaction-oriented leisure activities increase the quality of life more.