Gender differences in subjective and behavioural aspects of leisure: study 1

Subjective and behavioural aspects of leisure were examined using data from a northern Queensland survey of Cairns residents (N=340). Respondents consisted of 181 females and 159 males. Subjective aspects of the leisure experience across gender, and sex differences in leisure involvement were examined for outdoor/active/sport activities, social leisure and cultural hobbies activities. Females perceived cultural hobbies leisure as serving a stress-reducing, recuperative function. Higher participation rates were recorded for females in cultural-hobbies activities. Males were distinguished from females in regard to subjective meanings given to outdoor leisure, active leisure and sporting activities. Likewise, greater involvement in these outdoor sports was evidenced for males. No gender differences emerged in perceptions. of the relaxation component of social leisure. Nor did the sexes differ in social leisure involvement