A study was conducted to explore the relationship between the working individual's daily experience on the job (job content) and his leisure activity, political participation, and mental strain after the workday is done. Based on individual level data from a representative national survey (1:1000 random sample) in Sweden in 1968, the study developed a model of social-psychological functioning which was used to test the hypothesis that the noneconomic qualities of work experience affect behavior during leisure. The first hypothesis of the model predicts how "active" and "passive" patterns of behavior might be socialized on the job. The second hypothesis predicts what combination of job characteristics should lead to mental strain. The model is measured by three broad types of work environment dimensions: Job demands, job discretion, and job social relationships. Findings indicated that the worker who lacks discretion over the content of his daily work experience is likely to be "passive" in leisure and political participation on the one hand, or to experience mental strain on the other. Findings do not suggest that psychologically demanding work is always accompanied by deleterious effects, although strain does occur when job discretion is simultaneously low. However, psychologically demanding work is associated with more socially active leisure and political participation when job discretion is also high. (Author/TA)