Stress and the Leisure Needs and Activities of Different Occupations

Abstract

This study examined the association between stress and the leisure needs and activities of four occupational groups: professional, managerial, clerical, and trades. It was found that stress was associated with passive/recuperative leisure needs and activities among managerial employees. Professionals also showed evidence of a correlation between stress and leisure needs and activities which revealed a partly recuperative, partly active-compensatory leisure pattern. Among clerical and trades employees there was little association between stress and leisure. Occupational differences in the sources and effects of stress, and differences in coping patterns need to be explained.