Family Leisure Involvement Research Articles

More is better? Family leisure involvement and individual leisure satisfaction among Chinese adult workers

ABSTRACT Family leisure activities have been gaining increasing attention in recent years. This study aims to identify the characteristics of family leisure involvement among adult workers in urban China, explore the relationship between family leisure and leisure satisfaction, and further analyse the possible interrelationship between core and balance family leisure activities. Paper-and-pencil questionnaire surveys of activity diaries were collected from 519 residents of Zhongshan, a prefecture-level city in China. Linear regression analysis suggested that balance family leisure activities were not associated with individual leisure satisfaction, while core family leisure had a negative impact. Core family leisure also moderated the relationship between balance family leisure and personal leisure satisfaction. A moderate amount of core family leisure combined with balance family leisure increased leisure satisfaction. This study contributes to the core and balance theory of family leisure functioning by exploring the interrelationship between the two types of family leisure activities in a non-Western context.

An Application of the Core and Balance Model of Family Leisure Functioning to Study Leisure Activities Practised by Families from Wielkopolska

The purpose of this study was to examine family leisure involvement in 60 Polish families from Wielkopolska from the perspective of parents and their children. The Core and Balance Model of Family Leisure Functioning (CBM) was used to examine the relationship between core and balance activities and the level of satisfaction with family leisure involvement. Two questionnaires were used: the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) and the Family Leisure Satisfaction Scale (FLSS). The families in the sample were found to take part in core activities more frequently. While the level of involvement in family leisure was average, the level of satisfaction derived from it was relatively high. The findings indicate that the Polish version of the FLAP can be a useful tool in the study of leisure behaviour of Polish families.

The Analysis of Social Support Level in Foster Families in the Context of Their Leisure Time Activities

The objective of this study is to investigate whether there is a correlation between family social support and leisure time activities among adopted children in foster families. It has been assumed that the main factors determining leisure activities in foster families are social family ties, manifested in the form of a strong social support. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) has been used to measure the perception of support and only the first, out of three, family-related source was applied in the research. The study has been conducted from a youth perspective in the context of family leisure and family support and it has tested the types of leisure activities which the foster children and their parents participated in – core and balance. The study group consisting of youth aged 10-21 coming from the city of Poznan and its neighbouring areas. The results show that there is a correlation between family social support at all its levels (low, medium and high) and low/high core index levels both in girls and boys. These findings indicate that, from a youth perspective, core rather than balance family leisure involvement has a stronger relationship with family social support. There is a further need for experimental design in the form of an interventional program in order to effectively scan the casual effects of family support. The findings also suggest that further research is necessary to investigate the correlation between the foster families and individual leisure time activates undertaken by the adopted children.

The contribution of family leisure to family functioning and family satisfaction among urban Russian families

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine how both family leisure involvement and family leisure satisfaction contributed to the explanation of variance in family functioning and satisfaction with family life among urban Russian families (n = 597). As an initial examination of family leisure functioning in the Russian culture, mixed model analysis accounted for family-level and individual level variance, and indicated core family leisure satisfaction was the strongest predictor of all aspects of family functioning and satisfaction with family life, a pattern similar across other cultures. There were also positive relationships between balance family leisure and various aspects of family functioning.

Leisure time and family functioning in families living with autism spectrum disorder.

Family leisure can provide opportunities for both enjoyment and family growth. However, families of children with autism spectrum disorder experience multiple barriers to engaging in satisfying family leisure activities. This study surveyed parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 112) and parents of children with typical development (n = 123) to examine relationships among family leisure involvement, leisure satisfaction, family functioning, and satisfaction with family life. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder reported a similar amount of leisure involvement as families of typically developing children. However, they reported lower leisure satisfaction, poorer family functioning, and less satisfaction with family life. Mediation models suggested that low leisure satisfaction was related to less effective family communication, which in turn led to poorer family functioning and less satisfaction with family life. Amount of time spent in leisure made relatively small contributions to predicting other family variables. These results suggest that leisure-focused interventions for families of children with autism spectrum disorder should focus on improving quality, rather than quantity, of family leisure time.

Turkish family life: A study of family leisure, family functioning, and family satisfaction

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of family leisure involvement and family leisure satisfaction to the explanation of variance in family functioning and satisfaction with family life among Turkish families using the core and balance framework. The sample (n = 509) consisted of families (parents and youth ages 11–16 years) from Izmir, Turkey. Findings indicate significant positive relationships between family leisure variables and all family functioning and satisfaction variables from both the parent and youth perspectives. These findings are similar to those from family samples in other Western/industrialized countries, emphasizing the significant role of family leisure regardless of country, language, and cultural change. Further, findings identified differences in relationships between parent and youth perspectives and were discussed within the cultural context of Turkey's rapid social and societal change. Implications and recommendations for Turkish families and future family leisure research are discussed.

The Core and Balance Model of Family Leisure Functioning: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACTIn the past 15 years, the Core and Balance Model of Family Leisure Functioning has emerged as a focus in family leisure research. This body of work has demonstrated that family leisure involvement is consistently a significant predictor of elements of family well-being from multiple perspectives in the family, and among a variety of family types. A closer examination of this work reveals a more complex interrelationship between family leisure involvement and well-being and calls for further refinement and testing of the model. A systematic review of this body of work was conducted with the goals of offering a summary of findings, a revised graphic of the model, strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future work. Nineteen peer-reviewed journal articles, nine research abstracts, and one dissertation were reviewed.

Antecedents of family leisure involvement: an integrated model from adolescents’ cognitive, affective and behavioral perspectives

AbstractThis study investigates the possible relations between family leisure involvement and its antecedents (i.e. perceived parental power, parental attachment and family support). Cluster sampling was used to obtain a sample of youth from the populations of three areas of Taiwan. Data were collected through a group administered self-completion survey. This procedure resulted in 880 valid responses. The results indicated statistics showed that perceived parental power, parental attachment and family support were major predictors of the family leisure involvement. Furthermore, all dimensions of perceived parental power, except outcome-control power, were significant predictors of the core and balance family leisure patterns; communication and reversed alienation were significant predictors of the core family leisure patterns; and all dimensions of parental attachment were significant predictors of the balance family leisure patterns.

Parental Perceptions of Changes in Family Well-Being Following Participation in a Camp: Experiences of Families With a Child With ASD Qualitative Paper

Family leisure research has indicated that a positive relationship exists between family leisure involvement and family dynamics such as family functioning, satisfaction with family life and leisure, and communication. Participating in activities together is important to families with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and can benefit the wellbeing of the entire family. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate and long-term influence of participation in a family camp designed specifically for families with a child with ASD. Themes from interviews highlight positive perceptions of family leisure experiences following camp. Implications for future research are discussed. Subscribe to TRJ

Family Leisure Functioning: A Cross-National Study

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to, first, determine whether positive relationships between family leisure (involvement and satisfaction) and family outcomes (cohesion, adaptability, family functioning, and satisfaction with family life) were present in a multinational sample, and second, determine whether the core and balance model could provide a consistent framework for between country comparisons of relationships between family leisure and family outcome variables cross nationally. Families were recruited from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Data were analyzed using blocked multiple regression models, and generalized linear models to compare relationships across countries. Overall, findings indicated positive relationships between family leisure and family outcomes were consistent across all five countries. Some differences in relationship strength, not directionality, occurred primarily in family leisure involvement rather than family leisure satisfaction.

핵심균형모델에 따른 가족여가유형이 청소년의 가족의사소통, 가족기능 및 극복력에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine effect of family function and communication within the core and balance model of family leisure functioning and resilience of the youth. The study was conducted from a youth perspective of family leisure type, family functioning and communication. The sample consisted of youth(N=563) aged 15-18 from G provinces. The results were analyzed through SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. Structural equation model were calculated as part of the path analyses and to investigate the relationships among the variables. The major results are as follows: First, the relationship between family communication, family function and resilience of youth among core and balance family leisure has statistically significant effects. Specifically, balance family leisure involvement had a stronger relationship to family functioning than core family leisure involvement from a youth perspective. Second, the family communication and family function has the significant effects on resilience of youth. Path analyses indicated that family communication mediated a positive relationship between family leisure variables and family functioning variables. Therefore, findings identified family leisure involvement as a valuable behavioral characteristic that plays a significant role in the family communication, family functioning and resilience relationship.

Family play and leisure activities: correlates of parents' and children's socio-emotional well-being

Guided by systems theory, this mixed-methods study of 98 families examined parent- and child-reported play, exploration, and leisure activities in relation to family members' socio-emotional well-being. Parents and children completed surveys independently and interviews were conducted with a subset of families. Quantitative findings showed that child report of secure exploration with both parents, and mother report of leisure activities, were associated with some couple and parent–child well-being indicators and nearly all child well-being indicators. Father report of play and leisure activities was associated with more couple and parent–child well-being indicators than mother report and showed some differences in associations with child well-being indicators. Interview data provided examples of how families incorporate play and leisure into their busy lives and the perceived benefits and enjoyment derived from these activities. These findings emphasize the importance of family play and leisure involvement for parents' and children's well-being.

Modeling Family Leisure and Related Family Constructs: A National Study of U.S. Parent and Youth Perspectives

The purpose of this study was to begin the development of a broad model that could examine the structural relationships between family leisure involvement, family functioning, family communication, family leisure satisfaction, and satisfaction with family life among a large sample of families (n = 898) from the United States. Findings from both parent and youth perspectives were consistent with previous studies that examined the same variables individually and provided a possible picture of how these family variables might relate to one another in the broader context of family leisure. Slight differences between the parent and youth models added further insight and reemphasized the value related to examining family variables from different perspectives within families. Implications, limitations, and recommendations were discussed.

Contributions of Family Leisure to Family Functioning Among Single-Parent Families

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of family leisure involvement to the family functioning of single-parent families and to compare family functioning and family leisure between large samples of dual and single-parent families. Data were collected from a dependent child and custodial parent in 362 U.S. single-parent households. Core and balance family leisure involvement were related to both family cohesion and family adaptability, with core family leisure explaining more variance in family functioning variables from parent, youth, and family perspectives. Family functioning among single-parent families was similar to that of dual-parent families. Family leisure involvement among single-parent families was lower.

Australian Family Leisure: Modelling parent and youth data

The purpose of this study was to test a recently developed broad structural model which examines the relationships between family leisure involvement, family functioning, family communication, family leisure satisfaction, and satisfaction with family life among a large sample of families from Australia (n = 1014). Participating families provided responses to family variables from both a parent (n = 902) and an adolescent child (n = 810) in the household. Structural equation modelling was employed and the fit indices from the parent and youth structural equation models were quite similar to each other, with both exhibiting a reasonable fit of the data. This study provides some insight into Australian family leisure perspectives and assists in providing a more global view of family leisure constructs. Implications, limitations, and recommendations are discussed.

An Examination of Family Leisure and Family Satisfaction Among Traditional Turkish Families

Consideration of the importance of shared family leisure activities supporting family bonds and satisfaction leads to the inquiry into the link between the two. In this study of 70 Turkish families, data were analyzed at the parents, youth, and family levels. A family systems theoretical framework was utilized to examine the relationship between core and balance family leisure involvement and satisfaction with family life. Instruments included the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) and the Satisfaction with Family Life Scale (SWFL). Turkish urban families with traditional structures who were likely to have strong family ties reported that family leisure involvement contributed to the explanation of family satisfaction from the parents' and the female youth perspectives. Families were involved in more core family leisure than balance family leisure. Overall, findings indicated that the level of family leisure involvement and enjoyment in general was low, and their satisfaction with family life was comparatively high which was thought to be the result of their traditional family culture.

Contributions of Family Leisure to Family Functioning Among Families that Include Children with Developmental Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning among families that include children with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 144 families (144 parents and 60 youth). Data were analyzed from the parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family functioning. A scale based upon the definition, classification, and systems of support manual of the American Association on Mental Retardation adapted by Dyches was used to measure the level of support needed by the child with a developmental disability. Blocked multiple regression analyses indicated a positive relationship between core family leisure and family cohesion, adaptability, and overall family functioning, but the analyses indicated no relationship between balance family leisure and family cohesion, adaptability, and overall family functioning from all three perspectives. Results also indicated that family functioning and family leisure involvement were very similar between traditional families and families including children with developmental disabilities. Implications for practitioners and recommendations for further research are discussed.

Nonresident Fathers' Family Leisure Patterns during Parenting Time with Their Children

The purpose of the study was to examine the leisure patterns of nonresident fathers while spending time with their child(ren), and to examine leisure constraints, leisure facilitators and nonresident fathers’ satisfaction with family leisure activities. Four instruments were used to collect the data. Family leisure involvement was measured using the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP), leisure constraints were measured using the Nonresident Father Leisure Constraint Scale (NFLCS), leisure facilitators were measured using the Nonresident Fathers’ Leisure Facilitator Scale (NFLFS), and family leisure satisfaction was measured using the Family Leisure Satisfaction Scale (FLSS). The sample was nonresident fathers (N = 129) from 36 states in the U.S. The data supported leisure constraints as a significant predictor of nonresident fathers’ satisfaction with family leisure involvement, and their family leisure patterns. The data did not support, however, leisure facilitators as contributing to fathers’ satisfaction with family leisure involvement or leisure patterns.

Family Acculturation, Family Leisure Involvement, and Family Functioning among Mexican-Americans

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between acculturation and family leisure involvement and aspects of family functioning (cohesion and adaptability) from Mexican-American parent, youth, and family perspectives. Acculturation was measured using the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (BAS), family leisure involvement was measured using the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP), and family functioning was measured using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES II). The sample was obtained from communities in Texas and Utah and consisted of 74 Mexican-American families, including a parent and child from each family. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, the independent variables were found to help discriminate levels of acculturation for parents, youth, and families. Recommendations are given for commercial and community recreation programs targeting Mexican-American families, in addition to implications for further research.

Contributions of Family Leisure to Family Functioning Among Transracial Adoptive Families

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine family leisure behavior among intact families with transracial adoptive children and make comparisons to a broad sample of families with only biological children. The sample consisted of 197 adoptive families. Data were analyzed from a parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to determine family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family functioning. Findings indicated that measures of family cohesion, family adaptability, and family functioning were higher among the adoptive family sample. Core, balance, and total family leisure involvement were also higher among the adoptive family sample. Multiple regression analyses indicated a positive relationship between family leisure and family functioning among this sample from the parent, youth, and family levels of measurement. Implications for practice and further research are discussed.