Includes bibliographical references and index.

The serious leisure perspective -- Positiveness in the serious pursuits -- Interpersonal relationships -- Contemplation and spirituality -- Altruism -- Contributions to community and organization -- Quality of life and well-being -- Casual and project-based leisure -- Play and creativity.

"Leisure has a central role to play in positive psychology. From a leisure studies perspective, this book looks at how positive interpersonal relationships and positive emotional and cognitive states and processes are expressed or realized in myriad leisure activities. These activities, Leisure and Positive Psychology shows, are highly appealing, thereby providing their own motivational push. The more complicated of them, the serious pursuits, are, in turn, rooted in surrounding social worlds of people, groups, organizations, services, and a unique history. A powerful personal and social identity, this book argues, typically follows from involvement in these activities. Stebbins provides an in-depth investigation into themes such as flow, fulfilment, altruism, well-being, and interpersonal relationships"--Back cover.