Work and nonwork: A review of models, methods, and findings

Examines 3 theories of work/leisure relations--compensation, generalization, and segmentation. All have received some support, but the present review indicates that much of the available research evidence is constrained by conceptual and methodological problems. Paradigms for describing work/leisure patterns are reviewed, and it is concluded that most of these are more suitable for classifying leisure definitions than for guiding empirical research. Research in this field requires objective definitions of attributes common across life spheres. A task-based description of work and nonwork is discussed, and its research utility is illustrated. Future research should describe different work/leisure patterns, the processes underlying these patterns, and the life consequences associated with different patterns. (98 ref)