Outdoor Leisure Activities in the Family: Marital Satisfaction and Problem Solving Skills in the Family

Abstract

Family recreation has contributed to numerous positive family outcomes and plays a vital role in the development of family
health, functioning, and strength. This study was carried out to determine the effect of couple’s marital satisfaction and problem solving
skills in the family on their outdoor leisure activities. The influence of demographic characteristics, marital satisfaction and problem
solving skills of couples on their outdoor leisure activities with family members was investigated. 3492 married couples (Female=1746,
Male=1746) living in Karabuk city center at different socio-economic levels were chosen based on the “Simple Sampling Method”. Data
were collected through a demographic information form, a questionnaire on the outdoor leisure activities shared with family members,
Marital Life Scale (MLS) and Marital Problem Solving Scale (MPSS). To determine the factors affecting outdoor leisure activities shared
with family members, t-test and hierarchical regression analyses were employed. The results demonstrated that the female in this study
ranged from 17 to 72 years of, age (M = 37.13, SD = 9.74) and the male ranged from 18 to 80 in age (M = 40.31, SD = 10.10). The
average length of marriage was found to be 15.1 years. The result of hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that demographic
characteristics, marital satisfaction and problem solving of couples was important predictors of outdoor leisure activities shared with
family members (p<.05).