THE BENEFITS OF PERSONALITY LEISURE CONGRUENCE - EVIDENCE AND IMPLICATIONS

This study explores the beneficial effects of leisure congruence on we ll-being. Leisure congruence was defined as the degree of corresponden ce 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, physici ans and lawyers). Leisure congruence correlated positively with work s atisfaction and self-esteem and negatively with burnout, somatic compl aints and anxiety. Except for self-esteem, these correlations persiste d even after controlling for two aspects of work fit: vocational congr uence and skills utilization. Engaging in congruent leisure activities proved the most beneficial, in terms of the outcomes studied, to indi viduals lacking both these work-fit aspects. Congruent leisure activit ies 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.