An Examination of Family Leisure and Family Satisfaction Among Traditional Turkish Families

Abstract

Consideration of the importance of shared family leisure activities supporting family bonds and satisfaction leads to the inquiry into the link between the two. In this study of 70 Turkish families, data were analyzed at the parents, youth, and family levels. A family systems theoretical framework was utilized to examine the relationship between core and balance family leisure involvement and satisfaction with family life. Instruments included the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) and the Satisfaction with Family Life Scale (SWFL). Turkish urban families with traditional structures who were likely to have strong family ties reported that family leisure involvement contributed to the explanation of family satisfaction from the parents' and the female youth perspectives. Families were involved in more core family leisure than balance family leisure. Overall, findings indicated that the level of family leisure involvement and enjoyment in general was low, and their satisfaction with family life was comparatively high which was thought to be the result of their traditional family culture.