Leisure Shapes Future: The Role of Leisure Crafting in Chinese Generation Z’s Future Expectations of Challenging Work and Education

While existing literature has extensively explored the career development of Generation Z, leisure, a vital life sphere for young people, is underexamined. Leisure is not only for immediate enjoyment but also significantly influences an individual’s future skill and knowledge development. Building on limited prior work and the conservation of resources theory (COR), this study asserts that leisure crafting is a crucial resource for Generation Z in shaping their future expectations of challenging work and higher education. Using a second-order structural equation model based on a valid sample size of 362 Chinese Gen Zers, the research examines how past experiences, leisure time management, and intrinsic motivations influence leisure crafting and further influence their future expectations. It underscores the intricate balance between studying, working, and leisure, raising questions about how effectively integrating positive leisure activities can contribute to future career and educational pursuits in China.