A Pilot Study of an Instrument Measuring Leisure Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction in an Outpatient Leisure Activity Program

The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical scale with foundational concepts involving leisure satisfaction, life satisfaction, and quality of life. Outpatients participating in a leisure activity program in a community-based medical center in Northern Iowa comprised the pilot group to gather data for the construction of this instrument. The questionnaires were administered to a convenience sample of 174 outpatients with a response rate of 163 (93.6%) completing the questionnaire. The data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis. The results revealed that 32 items were identified with a reliability of .91. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the differences between demographic variables (marital status, and education level) and the Leisure and Life Satisfaction Scale for Outpatients (LLSSOP). Suggestions and implications of the scale purification process are discussed.