Leisure and happiness in the United States: evidence from survey data

Abstract

We study the relationship between leisure and happiness, controlling for income and other determinants. Using survey data for the United States in 2007, our results show that certain aspects of leisure, such as leisure activity satisfaction, have a significant impact on individual well-being whereas the amount of leisure time may not play an important role in affecting happiness.

Keywords:

• leisure
• happiness

JEL Classification:

• D69

Notes

¹The leisure activities include Watch TV, Go to the movies, Go shopping, Read books, Attend cultural events, Get together with relatives, Get together with friends, Play cards, Listen to music, Join physical activities, Attend sporting events as a spectator, Do handicrafts and Spend time on the Internet.

²For the purpose of brevity we only report the coefficients on activities that are statistically significant. Estimated coefficients on other activities are available upon request.

³The probability is , where m = 1 – 4 and τ is the cut-point value.

⁴We also include a quadratic form of education in the regression. The results do not change qualitatively. The coefficient on the quadratic form is typically not significant whereas the coefficient on education itself is negative and significant.