SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Spor ve Bilim Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 3 Sayı: 1

Neuroticism Reimagined: The Transformative Power of Leisure in Relationships

Nevrotizmi Yeniden Anlamak: İlişkilerde Boş Zamanın Dönüştürücü Gücü

Levent Önal(ATATÜRK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-4453-1965
Pages
117–134
Publication Date
2025-03-20
DOI
—
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Findings revealed that neuroticism negatively affects both leisure satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in the direct model.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study explores the relationship between neuroticism, leisure satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction, focusing on the mediating role of leisure satisfaction in mitigating the negative effects of neuroticism.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Utilizing a quantitative approach, data were collected from a sample of 452 participants through validated survey instruments.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Findings revealed that neuroticism negatively affects both leisure satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in the direct model.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Nevrotiklik · Boş Zaman Doyumu · İlişki Doyumu

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between neuroticism, leisure satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction, focusing on the mediating role of leisure satisfaction in mitigating the negative effects of neuroticism. Utilizing a quantitative approach, data were collected from a sample of 452 participants through validated survey instruments. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test two models: (1) the direct impact of neuroticism on leisure satisfaction and relationship satisfaction, and (2) the mediating effect of leisure satisfaction on the relationship between neuroticism and relationship satisfaction. Findings revealed that neuroticism negatively affects both leisure satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in the direct model. However, in the mediational model, leisure satisfaction played a significant positive role, partially buffering the adverse effects of neuroticism on relationship satisfaction. Fit indices for both models demonstrated robust results, supporting the validity of the proposed relationships. The study concludes that fostering leisure satisfaction may serve as a practical intervention strategy to improve relationship outcomes in couples experiencing challenges due to neurotic tendencies. These findings contribute to the literature by emphasizing the transformative potential of leisure experiences in enhancing personal and relational well-being, paving the way for future research and applications in psychology and relationship counseling.

Özet

Bu çalışmada, nevrotiklik, boş zaman tatmini ve ilişki tatmini arasındaki ilişki araştırılmış ve nevrotikliğin olumsuz etkilerini azaltmada boş zaman tatmininin aracılık rolüne odaklanılmıştır. Nicel bir yaklaşım kullanılarak, geçerliliği doğrulanmış anket araçları aracılığıyla 452 katılımcıdan oluşan bir örneklemden veri toplanmıştır. İki modeli test etmek için yapısal eşitlik modellemesi (SEM) kullanılmıştır: (1) Nevrotikliğin boş zaman tatmini ve ilişki tatmini üzerindeki doğrudan etkisi ve (2) nevrotiklik ile ilişki tatmini arasındaki ilişkide boş zaman tatmininin aracılık etkisi incelenmiştir. Nevrotikliğin doğrudan modelde hem boş zaman tatminini hem de ilişki tatminini olumsuz etkilediği bulgulanmıştır. Ancak aracılık modelinde boş zaman tatmini önemli bir pozitif rol oynamış ve nevrotikliğin ilişki tatmini üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini kısmen tamponladığı tespit edilmiştir. Her iki model için de uyum indeksleri, önerilen ilişkilerin geçerliliğini destekleyen sağlam sonuçlar göstermiştir. Çalışma, boş zaman tatminini teşvik etmenin, nevrotik eğilimler nedeniyle zorluklar yaşayan çiftlerde ilişki sonuçlarını iyileştirmek için pratik bir müdahale stratejisi olarak hizmet edebileceği sonucuna varmıştır. Bu bulgular, boş zaman deneyimlerinin kişisel ve ilişkisel refahı artırmada dönüştürücü potansiyelini vurgulayarak literatüre katkıda bulunmakta, psikoloji ve ilişki danışmanlığında gelecekteki araştırma ve uygulamalara zemin hazırlamaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Önal, L. (2025). Neuroticism Reimagined: The Transformative Power of Leisure in Relationships. Spor ve Bilim Dergisi, Cilt: 3 Sayı: 1, 117–134. https://ajindex.com/articles/1646622

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (53)

  1. Abbasi, I., Rattan, N., Kousar, T., & Elsayed, F. (2018). Neuroticism and Close Relationships: How Negative Affect is Linked with Relationship Disaffection in Couples. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 46(2), 139 - 152. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2018.1461030
  2. Abela, A., Piscopo, S., & Vella, S. (2020). Understanding Love Relationships in a Global Context: Supporting Couples Across Cultures. 3-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37712-0_1
  3. Beard, J., & Ragheb, M. (1980). Measuring leisure satisfaction. Journal of Leisure Research, 12(1), 20-33.
  4. Benet., Martínez., Verónica., John., & Oliver, P. (1998). Los Cinco Grandes across cultures and ethnic groups: Multitrait-multimethod analyses of the Big Five in Spanish and English. Journal of personality social psychology 75(3), 729-750. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.75.3.729
  5. Boratav, H., Doğan, T., Söylemez, Y., & Saydam, S. (2021). “More Alike than Different”: a qualitative exploration of the relational experiences of multicultural couples in Turkey. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 38(4), 756 - 779. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1931095
  6. Brown, S., Manning, W., & Payne, K. (2017). Relationship Quality Among Cohabiting Versus Married Couples. Journal of Family Issues, 38(12), 1730 - 1753. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X15622236
  7. Cao, H., Yuan, X., Fine, M., Zhou, N., & Fang, X. (2019). Neuroticism and Marital Satisfaction During the Early Years of Chinese Marriage: The Mediating Roles of Marital Attribution and Aggression. Family process, 58(2), 478-495. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12356
  8. Celenk, O., Vijver, F., & Goodwin, R. (2011). Relationship satisfaction among Turkish and British adults. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(5), 628-640. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJINTREL.2011.02.013
  9. Curun, F. (2001). The effects of sexism and sex role orientation on relationship satisfaction [Unpublished master thesis]. Middle East Technical University.
  10. Denovan, A., & Macaskill, A. (2017). Building resilience to stress through leisure activities: a qualitative analysis. Annals of Leisure Research, 20(4), 446 - 466. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2016.1211943
  11. Dobson, K., & Ogolsky, B. (2021). The role of social context in the association between leisure activities and romantic relationship quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(2), 221- 244. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211036504
  12. Dyck, V., & Daly, K. (2006). Rising to the Challenge: Fathers’ Role in the Negotiation of Couple Time. Leisure Studies, 25, 201 - 217. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614360500418589
  13. Ebstrup, J., Aadahl, M., Eplov, L., Pisinger, C., & Jørgensen, T. (2013). Cross-sectional associations between the five factor personality traits and leisure-time sitting-time: the effect of general self-efficacy. Journal of physical activity & health, 10(4), 572-80. https://doi.org/10.1123/JPAH.10.4.572
  14. Eichenberg, C., Huss, J., & Küsel, C. (2017). From Online Dating to Online Divorce: An Overview of Couple and Family Relationships Shaped Through Digital Media. Contemporary Family Therapy, 39, 249-260. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10591-017-9434-X
  15. Esplin, C., Rasmussen, B., Hatch, S., Hawkins, A., & Braithwaite, S. (2024). Neuroticism and relationship quality: A meta-analytic review. Journal of personality and social psychology. 594476. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000463
  16. Finn, C., Mitte, K., & Neyer, F. (2013). The Relationship–specific Interpretation Bias Mediates the Link between Neuroticism and Satisfaction in Couples. European Journal of Personality, 27(2), 200- 212. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.1862
  17. Fisher, T., & McNulty, J. (2008). Neuroticism and marital satisfaction: the mediating role played by the sexual relationship. Journal of family psychology: Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association, 22(1), 112-22. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.22.1.112
  18. Gabb, J., & Fink, J. (2015). Couple Relationships in the 21st Century. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137434432
  19. Gabb, J., & Fink, J. (2017). Couple Relationships in the 21st Century: Research, Policy, Practice. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59698-3
  20. Glorieux, I., Minnen, J., & Tienoven, T. (2011). Spouse “Together Time”: Quality Time Within the Household. Social Indicators Research, 101(2), 281-287. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11205-010-9648-X
  21. Harmon, J. (2016). Couples and shared leisure experiences. World Leisure Journal, 58(4), 245- 254. https://doi.org/10.1080/16078055.2016.1225883
  22. Hellmuth, J., & McNulty, J. (2008). Neuroticism, marital violence, and the moderating role of stress and behavioral skills. Journal of personality and social psychology, 95(1), 166-80. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.95.1.166
  23. Hendrick, S. S. (1981). Self-disclosure and marital satisfaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 40(6), 1150-1159.
  24. Hendrick, S. S. (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 93-98.
  25. Hwang, M. (2023). The Relationship Between Participation in Leisure Activities and Emotional Regulation and Resilience in Occupational Therapy Students. The Korean Society of Medicine & Therapy Science, 15(2), 79-86. https://doi.org/10.31321/kmts.2023.15.2.79
  26. Kahlbaugh, P., & Huffman, L. (2017). Personality, Emotional Qualities of Leisure, and Subjective Well-Being in the Elderly. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 85(2), 164- 184. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091415016685329
  27. Kekäläinen, T., Laakkonen, E. K., Terracciano, A., Savikangas, T., Hyvärinen, M., Tammelin, T. H., Rantalainen, T., Törmäkangas,T., Kujala, U. M., Alen, M., Kovanen, V., Sipilä, S., & Kokko, K. (2020). Accelerometer-measured and self-reported physical activity in relation to extraversion and neuroticism: a cross-sectional analysis of two studies. BMC geriatrics, 20, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01669-7
  28. Kemer, G., Yıldız, E., & Bulgan, G. (2016). Emotional Dependency and Dysfunctional Relationship Beliefs as Predictors of Married Turkish Individuals’ Relationship Satisfaction. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 19. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2016.78
  29. Kreuzer, M., & Gollwitzer, M. (2021). Neuroticism and satisfaction in romantic relationships: A systematic investigation of intra- and interpersonal processes with a longitudinal approach. European Journal of Personality, 36(2), 149 - 179. https://doi.org/10.1177/08902070211001258
  30. Kurdek, L. (1997). Relation between neuroticism and dimensions of relationship commitment: Evidence from gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 11(1), 109-124. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.11.1.109
  31. Kyeong, S., Eom, H., Kim, M., Jung, Y., Park, S., & Kim, J. (2019). Neural basis of romantic partners’ decisions about participation in leisure activity. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 14448. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51038-7
  32. Lu, L., & Hu, C. (2005). Personality, Leisure Experiences and Happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6, 325-342. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10902-005-8628-3
  33. Manne, S., Siegel, S., Heckman, C., & Kashy, D. (2016). A randomized clinical trial of a supportive versus a skill-based couple-focused group intervention for breast cancer patients. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 84(8), 668-81. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000110
  34. Mélendez, J., Satorres, E., Cujiño, M., & Reyes, M. (2019). Big Five and psychological and subjective well-being in Colombian older adults. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 82, 88-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2019.01.016
  35. Möller, K. (2004). The longitudinal and concurrent role of neuroticism for partner relationships. Scandinavian journal of psychology, 45(1), 79-83. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1467-9450.2004.00381.X
  36. Mund, M., Finn, C., Hagemeyer, B., Zimmermann, J., & Neyer, F. (2015). The Dynamics of Self–Esteem in Partner Relationships. European Journal of Personality, 29(2), 235- 249. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.1984
  37. Russell, V., & McNulty, J. (2011). Frequent Sex Protects Intimates From the Negative Implications of Their Neuroticism. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2(2), 220-227. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550610387162
  38. Sayehmiri, K., Kareem, K. I., Abdi, K., Dalvand, S., & Gheshlagh, R. G. (2020). The relationship between personality traits and marital satisfaction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC psychology, 8, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-0383-z
  39. Schmitt, D. P., Realo, A., Voracek, M., & Allik, J. (2008). Why can't a man be more like a woman? Sex differences in Big Five personality traits across 55 cultures. Journal of personality social psychology. 94(1), 168-182. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.94.1.168
  40. Shahvali, M., Kerstetter, D., & Townsend, J. (2019). The Contribution of Vacationing Together to Couple Functioning. Journal of Travel Research, 60(1), 133 - 148. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287519892340
  41. Takiguchi, Y., Matsui, M., Kikutani, M., & Ebina, K. (2022). The relationship between leisure activities and mental health: The impact of resilience and COVID‐19. Applied Psychology. Health and Well-Being. 15(1), 133-151. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12394
  42. Tu, H., Chen, L., Wang, M., & Lin, J. (2007). The impact of neuroticism on leisure satisfaction: Online game application. Social Behavior and Personality, 35(10), 1399-1404. https://doi.org/10.2224/SBP.2007.35.10.1399
  43. Vapur, M. ve Sevin, H. D. (2021). Boş Zaman Tatmin Ölçeğinin Türkçe formunun güvenirlik ve geçerlilik çalışması. Journal of Tourism and Gastronomy Studies, 9(1), 409-425. https://doi.org/10.21325/jotags.2021.796
  44. Vater, A., & Schröder-Abé, M. (2015). Explaining the Link between Personality and Relationship Satisfaction: Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Behaviour in Conflict Discussions. European Journal of Personality, 29(2), 201 - 215. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.1993
  45. Vernon, V. (2009). Marriage: for love, for money…and for time?. Review of Economics of the Household, 8, 433-457. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11150-009-9086-1
  46. Voorpostel, M., Lippe, T., & Gershuny, J. (2008). Trends in Free Time with a Partner: A Transformation of Intimacy?. Social Indicators Research, 93, 165 - 169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-008-9383-8
  47. Walsh, C., & Neff, L. (2019). The importance of investing in your relationship: Emotional capital and responses to partner transgressions. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(2), 581- 601. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407519875225
  48. Ward, P., Barney, K., Lundberg, N., & Zabriskie, R. (2014). A Critical Examination of Couple Leisure and the Application of the Core and Balance Model. Journal of Leisure Research, 46(5), 593- 611. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2014.11950344
  49. Widiger, T., & Oltmanns, J. (2017). Neuroticism is a fundamental domain of personality with enormous public health implications. World Psychiatry, 16(2), 144. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20411
  50. Wikle, J., Forbush, A., Yorgason, J., & Holmes, E. (2024). Family leisure and negative links between family of origin adversity and marital satisfaction. Family Relations, 73(5), 3031-3053. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.13055
  51. Woszidlo, A., & Segrin, C. (2013). Direct and indirect effects of newlywed couples' neuroticism and stressful events on marital satisfaction through mutual problem solving. Marriage & Family Review, 49(6), 520-545. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2013.772933
  52. Yağar, G., & Lapa, T. (2015). The Impact of Personality Traits on Leisure and Life Satisfaction in Women who participate in Exercise. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, 6(2), 65-76.
  53. Cao, H., Yuan, X., Fine, M., Zhou, N., & Fang, X. (2019). Neuroticism and Marital Satisfaction During the Early Years of Chinese Marriage: The Mediating Roles of Marital Attribution and Aggression. Family process, 58(2), 478-495. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12356