PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEISURE: A LIFE CYCLE DEVELOPMENTAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

ABSTRACT A developmental perspective of aging suggests that the life course consists of an ongoing process of growth and development from birth until death. Chronologically distributed across the life course are biological, psychological and social milestones or turning points. These events interrelate with personal values, motives for behavior, and the meanings and satisfactions derived from various activities and patterns of life involve- ment including engaging in leisure. This article presents a synthesis of the literature about the patterns of leisure involvement, values, meanings and motivations of leisure engagement over the traditional life course of white, middle class, American adults.