From constraints to happiness: how leisure facilitators and perceived health outcomes of recreation shape the relationship between constraints and happiness

Although research has shown that leisure constraints negatively affect happiness, the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions remain unclear. Drawing on leisure constraint and leisure facilitator models, this study proposes a framework examining the roles of leisure facilitators and perceived health outcomes of recreation in the relationship between leisure constraints and happiness among university students. From a multidimensional perspective on happiness, leisure facilitators and perceived health outcomes of recreation are associated with happiness by mitigating leisure constraints. In line with the leisure facilitator model, these factors are conceptualized as protective buffers shaping these associations. The findings indicate that leisure constraints do not have a direct effect on happiness, while leisure facilitators play a mediating role in this relationship. Although perceived health outcomes of recreation did not independently mediate the relationship, evidence supported a serial mediation effect involving leisure facilitators and perceived health outcomes of recreation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.