The influence of serious leisure, training, and consumption on subjective well-being for sport event participants

Abstract

ABSTRACT People pursue leisure activities like running because it makes them feel good and Stebbins (1992) suggests that serious leisure predicts subjective well-being (SWB). However, it is unclear whether serious leisure and/or its behavioural consequences such as increased consumption, event participation or training, explain varying levels of SWB. Some of these behavioural consequences have adverse environmental impacts, and a trade-off exists between negative environmental impacts and increased levels of SWB. This study surveyed 933 runners about their level of serious leisure, consumption patterns, training, event participation, and SWB. CFA and SEM are used to test the direct effects of serious leisure and the role of selected mediators to understand their effects on SWB. The study concludes that serious leisure itself has no significant direct effect on SWB. However, athletes’ engagement in training has direct positive effects on SWB. Furthermore, serious leisure, training and event participation increase other types of consumption, such as shoes, electronic equipment, cloths, etc. which have, however, no significant effect on SWB. These results advise organisers of leisure activities, such as event organisers, how to develop sustainable, yet valuable event experiences.