Moderating Effects of Leisure Time Physical Activity on Curvilinear Relationships between Working Hours and Life Satisfaction in China

PURPOSE: Previous research has documented the correlations among working hours, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and life satisfaction; however, the extent to which LTPA impacts the effect of working hours on life satisfaction has rarely been studied. The article focuses on this under-researched topic in the context of overworked adults from diverse demographic backgrounds in China.METHODS: Data collected from 11,065 participants in the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) were analyzed. Playing sports and walking were included in statistical testing as two types of LTPA. Curvilinear hierarchical regression models were employed to assess the impact of weekly working hours on life satisfaction within different demographic groups. To confirm the moderation effect of LTPA on the curvilinear relationship between weekly working hours and life satisfaction, curvilinear moderation models were applied.RESULTS: Curvilinear hierarchical regression revealed an inverse relationship between working hours and life satisfaction across gender and age demographics. The older generation demonstrated greater benefits from extended working hours, while female workers exhibited fewer benefits. Furthermore, the curvilinear relationship between working hours and life satisfaction was moderated by LTPA. The beneficial effects of LTPAs on overworked adults varied across age and gender groups. Specifically, engaging in walking activity during leisure time was associated with higher life satisfaction among younger adults who worked excessive hours.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight the significance of LTPA as a coping mechanism for job overload and enhancing life satisfaction. Based on these results, targeted well-being intervention programs can be developed for overworked adults across different demographic groups. When establishing workplace well-being policies, practitioners should consider the varied benefits that different forms of LTPAs offer to employees working excessive hours.