Expanding, reducing, concentrating and diffusing: Post retirement leisure behavior and life satisfaction

This study examined patterns of continuity and change in leisure behavior of recently retired individuals. The study investigated post-retirement leisure behavior in an Israeli national sample. It explored the differences among four defined groups: reducers, concentrators, diffusers and expanders, and measured their leisure participation and life satisfaction. Results indicated that the expanders and the concentrators enjoyed a significantly higher life satisfaction. The findings supported activity theory and continuity theory. They also led to the conclusion that for people who had a limited leisure repertoire prior to retirement, experiencing new activities was just as important as continuity in the adaptation process of retirement.