Leisure and Emotional Well-Being in the Moment: A within-Person Mediation Analysis of Momentary Autonomy and Mastery

This study investigated the momentary psychological mechanisms (autonomy and mastery) undergirding the relationship between momentary leisure activities and immediate emotional well-being using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). A total of 243 participants (mean age = 25.28, 67.1% female) provided 4,152 EMA responses over seven days, with survey prompts delivered three times daily (response rate = 81.4%). Baseline demographics and EMA measures of current activity, autonomy, mastery, and affect were collected. Within-person (1-1-1) mediation analyses reveal that compared to engaging in non-leisure activities, engaging in leisure activities was associated with higher positive affect (PA) and lower negative affect (NA). Momentary feelings of autonomy and mastery significantly mediated these relationships. Leisure increased perceived autonomy and mastery, which in turn predicted enhanced PA and reduced NA. Autonomy was a more substantial mediator than mastery in explaining leisure’s affective benefits. These findings highlight dynamic within-person mechanisms through which leisure enhances emotional states in everyday life.