Examining the long-term effect of leisure engagement, leisure satisfaction, and perceived discrimination on stress perception among Koreans with physical disabilities

Abstract

Leisure is considered an effective means to relieve stress. However, limited research has explored its roles in the stress-coping processes of people with disabilities, especially those living in non-western contexts. This study explores the relationship between leisure time (LT) and leisure repertoire (LR) and perceived stress from disability (PSD) through leisure satisfaction (LS), while using perceived discrimination (PD) as a moderator. Data were collected from the 2016 and 2017 Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled created by a Korean government agency. A total of 1,443 respondents with physical disabilities were selected. The results showed LT and LR have somewhat different associations with LS and PSD. Moreover, PD was only a moderator of the relationship between LT, LS, and PSD. The present study emphasizes the importance of quality of leisure experiences, rather than simply engaging in leisure, and the efficacy of LR as a stress coping skill.