Z Kuşağı Boş Zamanını Nasıl Değerlendiriyor?: Neulinger’in Boş Zaman Teorisi'ne Odak Grup Görüşmesi ile Güncel Bir Bakış

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Z kuşağı bireylerinin boş zaman etkinliklerine yönelik yaklaşımlarını derinlemesine incelemeyi ve bu süreçte etkili olan belirleyici içsel motivasyon faktörlerini ortaya koyarken, Neulinger’in boş zaman teorisi çerçevesinde güncel bir perspektif sunarak alana katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Yöntem: Araştırmada nitel araştırma yaklaşımı benimsenmiş ve veri toplama yöntemi olarak odak grup görüşmesi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında, 12 kişilik üniversite öğrencisinden oluşan katılımcı grubu ile gerçekleştirilen görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler, içerik analizi yöntemiyle sistematik olarak çözümlenmiştir.

Bulgular: Analiz sonucunda, Z kuşağı bireylerinin boş zaman aktivitelerine ilişkin eğilimleri ile bu eğilimleri şekillendiren içsel motivasyon unsurları ortaya konmuştur. Katılımcıların boş zaman aktiviteleri, “fiziksel ve zihinsel rahatlama”, “sosyal etkileşim” ve “kişisel gelişim” olmak üzere üç ana tema altında sınıflandırılmıştır. Bulgular, katılımcıların etkinlik tercihlerini büyük ölçüde içsel motivasyona dayalı olarak gerçekleştirdiklerini; bu süreçte zihinsel üretkenlik, sosyal bağların güçlenmesi ve yeni bilgiler edinme gibi kazanımların öne çıktığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca spor ve doğa temelli etkinliklerin disiplin ve liderlik becerileri kazandırması; kültürel ve sanatsal etkinliklerin ise yaratıcılık, araştırma eğilimi ve kendini ifade etme fırsatı sunması, çalışmanın dikkat çekici bulguları arasında yer almaktadır.

Sonuç: Araştırma sonucunda, Z kuşağı bireylerinin boş zaman alışkanlıkları anlaşılmış ve turizm, rekreasyon, eğitim ile yerel yönetim gibi çeşitli alanlarda gençlere yönelik strateji geliştirilmesine teorik ve pratik bir zemin oluşturulmasına katkı sağlanmıştır. Ayrıca araştırma, ilgili literatüre özgün bir bakış açısı sunarak, gelecekte yapılacak çalışmalara teorik ve pratik katkılar sağlamayı hedeflemektedir. Dolayısıyla, araştırma sonuçları, Z kuşağı bireylerinin boş zaman yaklaşımlarının Neulinger’in teorisinde vurguladığı içsel motivasyon ve özgür seçim temelindeki saf boş zaman kavramı ile önemli ölçüde örtüştüğünü göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Z Kuşağı
• Boş Zaman Teorisi
• İçsel Motivasyon
• Neulinger
• Odak Grup Görüşmesi

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışmada kullanılan odak grup görüşme tekniği için Kırklareli Üniversitesi Etik Kurulu’ndan 28.04.2025 tarihli toplantısında E-35523585-199-158691 sıra sayılı kararı ile izin alınmıştır. Aksi bir durumun tespiti halinde İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi’nin hiçbir sorumluluğu olmayıp, tüm sorumluluk çalışmanın yazar (lar) ına aittir.

How Does Generation Z Spend Their Leisure Time?: A Contemporary Perspective on Neulinger’s Leisure Theory Through Focus Group Interviews

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine in depth the leisure activity approaches of Generation Z individuals and to identify the key intrinsic motivational factors influencing these approaches, while providing a contemporary perspective within the framework of Neulinger’s leisure theory to contribute to the field.

Method: A qualitative research approach was adopted, and data were collected through a focus group interview. The study involved a participant group consisting of 12 university students, and the data obtained from these interviews were systematically analyzed using the content analysis method.

Findings: As a result of the analysis, the leisure activity tendencies of Generation Z individuals and the intrinsic motivational factors shaping these tendencies were revealed. Participants’ leisure activities were classified under three main themes: physical and mental relaxation, social interaction, and personal development. The findings indicate that participants largely engage in leisure activities based on intrinsic motivation, with outcomes such as mental productivity, strengthened social bonds, and the acquisition of new knowledge coming to the fore. Furthermore, it is a noteworthy finding of the study that sports- and nature-based activities contribute to discipline and leadership skills, while cultural and artistic activities provide opportunities for creativity, research orientation, and self-expression.

Conclusion: As a result of the study, the leisure habits of Generation Z individuals were better understood, contributing to the development of theoretical and practical foundations for strategies targeting young people in various fields such as tourism, recreation, education, and local governance. Moreover, the study offers a novel perspective to the relevant literature, aiming to provide theoretical and practical contributions for future research. Consequently, the findings indicate that Generation Z individuals’ approaches to leisure significantly align with the concept of pure leisure based on intrinsic motivation and free choice, as emphasized in Neulinger’s theory.

Keywords

• Generation Z
• Leisure Theory
• Intrinsic Motivation
• Neulinger
• Focus Group Interviews

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