The Benefits of Personality-Leisure Congruence: Evidence and Implications

Abstract

This study explores the beneficial effects of leisure congruence on well-being. Leisure congruence was defined as the degree of correspondence between an individual's personality type [using Holland's typology (1985a)] and the type of leisure activities he/she selects. The study was conducted among 160 professionals (engineers, technicians, physicians and lawyers). Leisure congruence correlated positively with work satisfaction and self-esteem and negatively with burnout, somatic complaints and anxiety. Except for self-esteem, these correlations persisted even after controlling for two aspects of work fit: vocational congruence and skills utilization. Engaging in congruent leisure activities proved the most beneficial, in terms of the outcomes studied, to individuals lacking both these work-fit aspects. Congruent leisure activities were also beneficial to individuals having both work-fit aspects, as manifested in lower burnout. Implications for leisure research and personality-oriented leisure counseling are discussed.