Discretionary time allocation : with others or with self?

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation is to identify any differences between Norway, Germany, and Italy, in the way the citizens of these three countries spend their leisure time. In recent years more attention is being given to the well-being of the whole individual, not only looking at issues related with jobs and family life but also how a person spends free time. Such time can be spent alone or with others, with the latter being seen as the person being more in tune with social activities, whether these are in voluntary work or going out with friends. The Harmonised European Time Use Survey distinguishes between social and non-social activities. The first part of the analysis is carried out using binary probit and logit regression models. This is done to gauge the social dimension of these three countries, on a spectrum from alone to community life. The second part of the analysis is carried out using a multinomial logit regression model. The analysis looks at the different types of leisure activities and the ones preferred by the individuals in each country. It also gives an insight on which country spends the most time on leisure activities. The results from the probit and logit regression are insignificant; however, some of the results from the multinomial logistic regression are significant. Norway is the country which spends the most time on leisure overall, with the preferred activities being those spent with others. On the other hand, Italy is the country which spends the least amount of time in leisure, with the preferred form of leisure being time spent with self. Finally, Germany spends less leisure time with others when compared to Norway but more time with others when compared to Italy. Most results for Germany and Norway were found to be significant; however, no significant results for Italy were found. This research contributes to literature in the way that there is a gap in the literature on the type of activities which people spend their time on. This is particularly true for European countries.