Analysis of social networks, social interactions, and out-of-home leisure activity generation: Evidence from Japan

Abstract

This article analyses the connection between social networks, social interactions and out-of-home leisure activity generation in the context of Japanese society. A multilevel structural equation modelling approach is used to account for the hierarchical structure of the data. At the ego-alter (self-other) level, results suggest the existence of a complementary effect between face to face interaction and ICT contact propensity that becomes a substitution effect given increasing distance between egos and alters. Furthermore, a mediating effect by face to face interaction between ICT contact propensity and distance was observed. At the ego (self) level, urbanization level, income, network size and club membership were found to have a direct positive effect on leisure propensity and indirectly on ICT contact propensity, while an extraverted personality was positively associated with higher ICT contact propensity.