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The Impact of Socio-Demographic Variables on the Daily Use of Leisure Time by Adults in Poland with a Particular Focus on Older People

Author

Listed:
  • Iwona Bąk

    (Department of Applied Mathematics in Economics, Faculty of Economics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Janickiego 31, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Sawińska

    (Institute of Spatial Management and Socio-Economic Geography, Faculty of Economics, Finance and Management, University of Szczecin, Mickiewicza 64, 71-101 Szczecin, Poland)

Abstract

The sphere of leisure time fulfils important roles in human life, translating into the quality of life of the individual and society. Hence, comprehensive research is being conducted on the ways in which different age groups, including older people, use leisure time. However, few of them take into account factors related to the place of residence, which are important for respondents’ leisure time activities. This study aims to fill the gap in this regard. The aim of the article is to identify socio-demographic variables determining the way adults spend their leisure time, with a particular focus on older people in selected border municipalities in Poland. The study included 1068 individual questionnaire questionnaires completed in 2021 by respondents of border municipalities. One of the non-probability techniques was chosen as the method for selecting elements for the sample, namely, the quota method, which took into account the following characteristics of the population: age, gender, and place of residence. The analyses used selected methods of descriptive statistics and multivariate comparative analysis. The results confirmed that leisure use varied by gender, age, and education. The research also showed that, in the case of older people, leisure time use is influenced by elements relating to their place of residence. Particularly important were the development of green areas in the municipality, safety in the municipality, and the cleanliness of recreational sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Iwona Bąk & Agnieszka Sawińska, 2025. "The Impact of Socio-Demographic Variables on the Daily Use of Leisure Time by Adults in Poland with a Particular Focus on Older People," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1070-:d:1578929
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    References listed on IDEAS

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