From the Pleasure of Leisure to the Glow of Flow

This study explores whether the motivation to leisure is related to flow. Contrary to popular belief, it was hypothesised that motivation to leisure positively influences 'flow'. The study involved 233 college students (M = 157, F = 76). The tests used were the intrinsic leisure motivation scale and the flow state scale. A clear positive relationship was established between motivation to leisure and flow (r = 0.521, p< 0.01). Motivation to leisure explained 27.18% of the variance in flow. Self-determination was found to be the single most influencing factor on the following flow factors: challenge-skill balance, clear goals, unambiguous feedback, concentration on the task at hand and sense of control (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). Various supporting studies and theoretical explanations of findings are discussed.