An Exploration of the Relationships between Free Time Management and the Quality of Life of Wage-Earners in Taiwan

Abstract

This study was designed to identify the relationship between measures of free time management and the quality of life, exploring whether the amount of free time or the way people use their free time relates to their quality of life. Data were collected during April 2005 in Taipei City, Taiwan. Stratified sampling was used to select the sample. Three companies or institutes were randomly selected from each out of seven business clusters with mail-back questionnaires distributed randomly to employees. Of the 500 questionnaires distributed on-site, 358 usable questionnaires were mailed back with a 71.6% response rate. A 20-item scale of free time management and a 19-item scale of quality of life with considerable reliability were presented. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between free time management and the quality of life. No significant relationship was observed between time allocation and the quality of life or free time management. The results indicate that people who manage their free time deliberatively enjoy a better quality of life.