Time Use, Time Pressure, Personal Stress, Mental Health, and Life Satisfaction from a Life Cycle Perspective

Abstract

The article examines relationships between the use of time, subjectively perceived time pressure, life stress, mental health, and life satisfaction from a life cycle perspective, using data collected as part of the 1986 and 1992 Canadian General Social Surveys, and the 1994 Canadian National Population Health Survey. Analyses reported in the article suggest that subjective sense of time pressure is grounded in objective reality. Respondents and life cycle groups reporting higher levels of perceived time pressure carry heavier loads of paid and unpaid work, and are limited in their access to leisure time resources. Low as well as excessive levels of time pressure seem to correlate negatively with mental health. Life‐cycle situation strongly affects respondents’ sense of life satisfaction and emotional well‐being. Employed married respondents in the 25 to 44 group, and particularly the 45 to 64 age group, with or without children at home, report the highest levels of emotional well being, in spite of the fact that some of these groups are pressed for time. The lowest levels of life satisfaction are reported by the unemployed, students, and divorcees. The article testifies to the fruitfulness of Wilensky's (1981) attempt to tie the analysis of perceived quality of life to life course progression, stress, and access to time.