A comparative study examining constraints to leisure and recreation opportunities for youth living in remote and isolated communities

Abstract

Separation from major population centres can create a number of barriers and constraints for leisure professionals and their constituents. Constraints may be intrapersonal, interpersonal, or structural in nature. Several factors, including accessibility, mobility, relative location of recreational facilities, and resources to create opportunities, have been documented as constraints on leisure. To date, there has been limited research on constraints to adolescent youth involvement in education, leisure, and recreation programs in remote and isolated communities. The purpose of this study was to examine the constraints related to leisure and recreation opportunities of adolescent youth who live in three remote and isolated locations on the Hawaiian Islands. A total of 1,968 surveys were completed by adolescents in grades 6–12 who attended intermediate schools and high schools in Hawaii. Results indicated that a number of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints exist, impacting on adolescent participation in leisure and recreational activities. The data collected in this study is important to enhancing the body of knowledge regarding barriers and constraints to leisure opportunities for adolescent youth in remote and isolated communities. This information is also beneficial for leisure providers wanting to design effective programs for adolescents living in these areas.