Redefining possibilities: a journey into personality traits, serious leisure, and life satisfaction among athletes with physical disabilities

ABSTRACT

This study explores the correlation between personality traits, serious leisure, and life satisfaction among amateur athletes with physical disabilities in Fars province, Iran. Using G*Power software, 132 participants were selected through cluster random sampling. Data was collected through the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Serious Leisure questionnaire (SLQ), and a shortened NEO-FFI questionnaire. Analysis via multiple regressions unveiled a significant positive link between personality traits and serious leisure (p<0.001), as well as a significant correlation between personality traits and life satisfaction (p<0.002). However, no significant relationship between serious leisure dimensions and life satisfaction was found (p<0.05). These results emphasize the impact of personality traits on life satisfaction and engagement in serious leisure among physically disabled athletes. Future studies can delve deeper into specific personality traits affecting life satisfaction and leisure activities among individuals with physical disabilities. Further exploration of cultural and socioeconomic influences in diverse communities could provide comprehensive insights.

KEYWORDS:

• Serious leisure
• life satisfaction
• physical disability
• personality trait
• athlete

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all participants in this study.

Data availability statements

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to the obligations of authors to Tarbiat Modares University for data protection but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical considerations

The implementation of this study was approved by the ethics committee of Tarbiat Modares University registered in the automation system by the specialized ethics committee in biomedical research under the code IR.MODARES.REC.1400.290. The participants were informed about the purpose of the research and its implementation stages. They were also assured about the confidentiality of their information, and if desired, the research results would be available to them. The Helsinki Declaration (Ethical principles in medical research on humans) was also observed.