Leisure Activities Research Articles

Tourism challenges within a high cost of living crisis

Living costs have been increasing at an unprecedented rate compared to average trends over the last decade due to increasing uncertainty from various global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. Previous research indicates that people prioritize essential consumption over leisure and tourism activities during high cost-of-living crises. However, prior studies have overlooked the spatially heterogeneous resilience of local tourism demand to the crisis, which differs by region with each possessing unique characteristics. This study aims to explore how the resilience of tourism demand shifted during the high cost-of-living crisis over space and time. Findings reveal spatially and temporally varied resilience in domestic and international tourism demand across regions. These findings offer crucial insights for developing localized tourism management policies amid high costs of living.

The 'Zero consumption' phenomenon of elderly people's sports and leisure in the Yangtze River delta region

This study investigates the current status of the "zero consumption" phenomenon in sports and leisure activities among elderly individuals in the Yangtze River Delta region, analyzing its characteristics and underlying causes. Data related to the consumption of sports and leisure activities among the elderly in this region were obtained through methods such as questionnaires and interviews. The results indicate that "zero consumption" in elderly sports and leisure activities is a common social phenomenon in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. It is not only a result of economic income constraints but also a consumption trend formed under the influence of various factors such as aging and declining physical fitness. While "zero consumption" does not significantly affect the elderly' s participation in sports and leisure activities, it may to some extent impact the diversification of these activities. Given the current participation status of elderly individuals in sports and leisure activities in China, it is still unable to play a crucial leading role in the development of the leisure industry as seen in developed countries.

Lived expertise of the structurally disadvantaged: towards a more just participatory transport planning process

In response to the negative effects of the car-dominated transport sector, especially in urban areas, and wider attempts to tackle the climate crisis, cities are reallocating car-dominated areas to promote active mobility, leisure and urban green space. These reallocations often take an experimental character and are accompanied by participation processes. Increased citizen participation results from both a paradigm shift in urban planning and a discourse shift towards mobility justice, emphasizing procedural and recognitional aspects of the transport transition. However, participatory planning processes themselves are conflict-ridden. They are criticised for favouring a loud, priviliged minority. Based on the need for diverse knowledge for mobility justice, including lived expertise, this study examines reasons for (non-) participation among structurally disadvantaged groups in transport planning, using Berlin’s Graefekiez neighbourhood as a case study. Focus groups were conducted with mobility-disabled people and women from a residential area with low socio-economic status. Our analysis revealed that non-participation was influenced by the feeling of being excluded and ignored. Simultaneously, the research format created was perceived as a welcoming space that better reflects the lived expertise of the neighbourhood and facilitates real exchange of perspectives. Based on this, recommendations are derived to improve participatory transport planning processes and the strengths of transdisciplinary projects.

The association between the type of offline social participation and digital literacy among Korean older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Poor social connections are associated with poor digital literacy. Poor digital literacy could induce poor outcomes in daily life or health status, especially among older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effect of social participation based on its absolute magnitude on digital literacy and to confirm the well-known fact that social participations are good for digital literacy is applicable regardless of activity types in a sample of older Korean adults. A total of 9,297 adults aged 65 years or older from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans were analyzed. All data were self-reported. Poor digital literacy was defined by limited usage of digital devices. Offline social participation was evaluated using seven different social activities: senior community activities, learning activities, religious activities, volunteer work, leisure, political groups, and club activities. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with covariate adjustment was used for the analysis. Engaging in more than two types of social participation was associated with higher digital literacy: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.965, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.567-2.465 for two types of participation, and aOR 2.558, 95% CI 2.040-3.208 for more than three types of participation. Additionally, social participation occurring less than once a month and most types of offline activities were associated with improved digital literacy. However, senior community activities were negatively associated with digital literacy (aOR 0.762; 95% CI 0.681-0.852). In this sample of older Korean adults, it was found that the lower the social participation, the poorer the digital literacy. This association may induce the isolation of older adults from societies especially for older adults with senior community activities.

A room of one’s own? The consequences of living density on individual well-being and social anomie

Abstract The global housing affordability crisis and COVID shutdowns have put living space inequality back on the political agenda. Drawing on Durkheim’s theory of anomie and density, this paper argues that on how many square meters a society lives matters for how stable or anomic it develops. Using data from the Swiss Household Panel, we examine the selection, short-term, and dynamic effects associated with transitions to overcrowded and under-occupied dwellings. We conceptualize these transitions as disruptive events that require a reconfiguration of personal and social equilibria in individuals’ lives. While overcrowded housing leads to a heightening of emotional states and more tense internal household dynamics, people respond by adjusting their leisure activities and restructuring their support networks from strong to weak ties. Conversely, moving to an under-occupied dwelling is associated with melancholic emotional stabilization, but improves household balance and leads to consolidation of the core network of relatives at the expense of outer social circles. We conclude that the classical characterization of anomie as a mismatch between personal means and societal ends should be understood as a multifaceted phenomenon in which meso-level social networks can be a crucial means to cope with disruptions that arise at other levels.

Mountains and Waves: Fontan Circulation in Different Environmental Conditions.

As surgical options and medical care for patients with univentricular heart physiology continue to improve, leading to increased life expectancy and quality of life, a new population of Fontan patients is growing up with the desire to participate in leisure activities, including aquatic activities, high-altitude stays, and air travel. Due to significant data gaps and insufficient experience, current guidelines do not provide clear recommendations, leading to uncertainty and sometimes restrictive patient management. This review summarizes new insights and the current state of research on this subject and provides an overview of the long overdue change in policies toward less restrictive counseling for Fontan patients regarding swimming, diving, high-altitude stays, and air travel. The current review summarizes the physiologic impact of aquatic and high-altitude activities on the cardiovascular system and presents currently available data on this topic in Fontan patients. Patients with Fontan circulation in good clinical shape can tolerate activities in the water and in the mountains as well as air traveling without critical events. In order to be able to make general recommendations, further studies with larger numbers of cases must be carried out.

Chan summer camp templestay as an educational leisure and tourism activity in China: Learning process and spiritual outcomes

Chan summer camp (CSC), a unique type of templestays in China with educational benefits, is mainly held by temples during school summer vacations. Drawing on experiential learning theory, this qualitative study explored the learning process and spiritual outcomes of CSCs in China to address the learning benefits of leisure. Participant observation and interviews were employed for data collection. Research findings showed that participants gained knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes through this Buddhist cultural immersion experience. After returning home, the templestay experience outcomes were sustained through reflection and experimentation resulted in spiritual growth. This study contributes to the leisure and tourism research on templestays, as it confirms the role of CSCs in learning and spiritual growth and reveals the learning mechanism to maintain the spiritual effects of the religion-related leisure and tourism environment.

Patient-reported outcome measures for life participation in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review

Abstract Background The symptoms, comorbidities and treatment burden associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be debilitating and limit life participation in patients with CKD not requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics, content, and psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used to assess life participation in patients with CKD. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from database inception to February 2023 for all studies that reported life participation in patients with CKD (Stage 1–5 not requiring kidney replacement therapy). We analyzed the characteristics, dimensions of life participation and psychometric properties of the measures. Results From the 114 studies included, 20 (18%) were randomized trials, 3 (3%) were non-randomized trials, and 91 (80%) were observational studies. Forty-one different measures were used to assess life participation, of which six (15%) were author-developed measures. Twelve (29%) measures assessed life participation specifically, while 29 (71%) measures assessed broader constructs such as quality of life, which included questions relevant to life participation. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Short Form (KDQOL-SF) were the most frequently used, in 39 (34%) and 24 (21%) studies, respectively. Many content domains for life participation were assessed including physical activities (walking, running, and sports), social activities, leisure activities, work or study and self-care. None of the measures for life participation were developed specifically for CKD. Four measures (EQ-5D-3 L, FACT-An, SF-6D, and SF-36) had validation data collected in patients with CKD. Conclusion The measures for life participation used in patients with CKD vary in content with few validated in the CKD population. There is a need for a validated measure to assess life participation in a meaningful and consistent way in all patients with CKD worldwide.

Youth Well-Being and Economic Vitality: Fostering Sustainable Development Through Green Leisure Sports

This study delves into the transformative potential of low-carbon leisure education (LCLE) in promoting sustainable development within rural lake regions, focusing particularly on its impact on youth well-being and regional economic vitality. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed 650 participants and conducted interviews with experts, visitors, and locals to gauge the effectiveness of LCLE initiatives. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between LCLE engagements and improvements in the leisure environment, economic development, and ecological conservation. However, the study reveals a youth welfare divide, whereby younger individuals are unable to fully benefit from LCLE programs due to gaps in environmental consciousness and accessibility. The paper proposes a holistic approach to LCLE that includes enhancing environmental awareness among youth, making participation in low-carbon leisure activities more accessible and affordable, and fostering a culture of sustainable enjoyment. The expected outcomes suggest strengthened rural economies, enriched leisure and ecological environments, and a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle for the younger population. This research underscores the importance of integrating educational initiatives into rural development strategies, thereby contributing to the knowledge economy through innovative approaches to sustainability and youth engagement in rural settings.

Recreational reading as a leisure activity: Perspectives from Georgian and Finnish hearing and deaf students

AbstractThe benefits of recreational reading for academic success are clear. However, the full potential of recreational reading for socialisation and well‐being remains untapped by young readers. Studies of young readers' recreational reading intentions and perceived barriers to translating intentions into reading are scarce. Deaf and hard‐of‐hearing students have been particularly excluded from research on leisure reading. Using a mixed methods approach, this study investigates Finnish and Georgian students' attitudes towards leisure reading and the relationship between their reading intentions and actual reading. Students' engagement in recreational reading is assessed through a quantitative survey, while their attitudes and intentions towards reading are revealed through focus group interviews. The results of this study suggest that students generally have positive attitudes towards reading, regardless of their country of origin and degree of hearing loss. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a wide range of barriers to reading, the most common of which are long school days, large amounts of homework, limited free time and preferences for other leisure activities. Some speculative findings from this study will be used as a basis for further research, focusing on reading during COVID‐19.

Who is (not) in the room? An epistemic justice perspective on low-carbon transport transitions

ABSTRACT Car-centric planning exacerbates the climate crisis, compromises public health, and erodes public space. Street-space reallocation programmes, which redistribute road space from cars to active travel, leisure and urban green, are an important strategy to respond to these challenges. In line with a wider shift towards collaborative planning, many of these programmes include public participation. However, participatory planning approaches face criticism for being exclusionary, favouring a loud or privileged minority. Following an epistemic justice perspective, this paper invites to consider the question: ‘who is (not) in the room?’ Based on in-depth qualitative analysis of the participatory processes linked to a pedestrianisation scheme in Berlin, we focus on the link between non-participation in invited participatory spaces and the emergence of claimed spaces of participation. We found all participants to have participated in one of them. The decision of how to participate is a complex interplay between the relevance of the scheme and the feeling of being heard. We show that it seems irrelevant whether this interplay applies to oneself or to one’s social network. Based on our findings, we argue that epistemically just participatory planning approaches to transitions need to go beyond invited spaces to include claimed spaces both spatially and temporally.

The Development of Intellect in Emerging Adults: Predictors of Longitudinal Trajectories

Intellect is an important personality trait, especially with regard to the prediction and explanation of intellectual performance, such as occupational or academic success. However, much less is known about the development of Intellect. I present results from a longitudinal study spanning eight years to investigate changes in Intellect during a critical period: the transition from school to vocation. The study is based on a large and heterogeneous sample with up to 1964 participants. Using a facet approach, I investigate predictors of longitudinal trajectories theoretically derived from construct definition, including subjective and objective attributes of education and profession; attitudes regarding the malleability of personality traits; as well as personality traits beyond Intellect, especially intelligence. Results reveal some support for the social investment principle according to neo-socioanalytic theory, as epistemic job demands and epistemic leisure activities predicted the increase in Intellect over time. The study contributes to our understanding of the development of personality traits related to intellectual achievement, including important internal and external predictors of longitudinal trajectories.

Challenges in measurement of adolescent mental health: how are gender patterns affected when level of symptoms is analysed simultaneously with impairment?

BackgroundAdolescent mental health surveys in public health are sometimes questioned because of their main focus on self-reported symptoms, lacking data on impairment, e.g. the consequences on everyday life of the mental health problems. While public health studies typically reveal higher prevalence rates of internalising problems for girls than boys, there are indications that the gender pattern may change when self-reported data on symptoms are analysed simultaneously with impairment. The purpose is to determine how gender patterns of adolescent mental health solely based on symptoms are affected when level of symptoms is analysed simultaneously with impairment.MethodsQuestionnaire data on adolescent mental health were collected in schools by Statistics Sweden in the autumn of 2009 as part of a national total population study in grades 6 and 9 in Sweden. In this study only data from grade 9 students are used (n = 91 627; response rate = 80 per cent). Psychosomatic symptoms were measured with the Psychosomatic Problems scale including eight items. Impairment was measured with four items included in the SDQ impact supplement. The associations between these key constructs were analysed with logistic regression and contingency tables.ResultsWhen analysing variables on psychosomatic symptoms and impairment independently, the results are consistent with typical findings of gender patterns in adolescent internalising mental health. Girls report both more psychosomatic symptoms, and more negative consequences in everyday life, than boys. The gender patterns are, however, strongly affected when impairment is conditioned on level of psychosomatic symptoms. Except for the Home Life setting, in the settings of Friendships, Classroom Learning and Leisure Activities, the previously reported gender pattern favoring higher disturbances among girls becomes partly reversed implying that boys report more negative consequences than girls. Hence, while girls report a higher prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms, boys appear to suffer from such symptoms more than, or as much as, girls in three out of four everyday life settings.ConclusionsThe study confirms the insufficiency of solely including data on symptoms in the measurement of adolescent mental health. Regardless of the causes of the complex gender pattern shown in this study, the results highlight the importance of simultaneous inclusion of indicators of impairment as well as symptom counts and frequency in the measurement of adolescent mental health.

Fostering sustainable leisure activities: a behavioural insight into eco-friendly intentions in Mount Damavand

ABSTRACT Mount Damavand, the highest point in the Middle East and one of the most popular peaks in the region, is experiencing environmental degradation due to hikers’ activities, exacerbated by inadequate regulations and infrastructure to manage visitor volume and behaviour. This study delved into the pro-environmental behavioural intentions of hikers within the Mount Damavand National Park. Employing partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we examined a proposed framework extending the theory of planned behaviour by including the value-belief-norm theory and a formative approach to study constraints to pro-environmental behaviours of hikers. We analyzed a sample of 393 hikers. The findings underscored the effectiveness of amalgamating these theoretical frameworks and elucidated 46% of the variance in pro-environmental behavioural intention.

Romanian water-cure resorts and the state before the Second World War: health, leisure and public-private partnership

ABSTRACT Romanian water-cure resorts were established in the mid-nineteenth century following the discovery of thermal waters. The Romanian state and prominent politicians sought to create modern spa resorts (like those established a century before in France and Germany) by allocating funds and implementing public policies and laws to develop bathing establishments for more people who suffered from different ailments. The local spa resorts could promote health tourism with active support from the state and public-private partnerships. Therefore, the two water-cure resorts analysed in this article, Băile Herculane and Băile Govora, with different histories and evolutions, designed modern medical treatments and leisure activities in the interwar period, encouraging wealthy people and people of modest income to spend a holiday and ‘take the cure’ (drinking and bathing) at these resorts.

Associations between Leisure and Work Time Activity Behavior and 24 H Ambulatory Blood Pressure among Aging Workers.

Purpose: The associations between work time, leisure-time, and non-workday physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED) and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) are not well known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between domain-specific activity behavior and 24 h blood pressure.Methods: A hundred and fifty-six aging workers (mean age 62.4 [SD 1.0] years, BMI 26.2 [4.5] kg/m2, 84 % women, 75 % non-manual occupation) from the Finnish Retirement and Aging study (FIREA) were included. Standing, light and moderate-to-vigorous PA (LPA and MVPA, respectively), and SED were measured using thigh-worn accelerometers and work time, leisure-time, and non-workdays were distinguished using a diary. Ambulatory 24 h BP was analyzed as mean daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic BP, and the nocturnal BP dipping percentage was calculated. Associations were examined with linear regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, occupation, work time mode, job strain, BMI, BP medication, and accelerometer wear time.Results: Higher work time SED associated with lower nighttime diastolic BP (B = -0.92, 95% CI -1.83, -0.01). In addition, higher work time standing associated with higher daytime diastolic BP (B = 1.34, 95% CI 0.03, 2.65) and higher work time LPA with less diastolic BP dipping (B = -3.57, 95% CI -6.80, -0.34). MVPA in any domain was not associated with ambulatory BP.Conclusions: Higher work time SED associated with a more favorable diastolic BP, and higher work time PA associated with more adverse diastolic BP among aging workers. In conclusion, work time, rather than leisure time or non-workday, activity behavior seems to associate with 24 h ambulatory BP.

The relationship between leisure activity participation and cognitive function among older Chinese adults: the differences across gender and age

As population aging increased globally, this study aimed to examine the relationship between leisure activity participation and cognitive function in the older Chinese population and the gender and age differences in this relationship. A total of 12526 individuals aged 60 years and older from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were obtained for this study. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship. This study found productive, physical, intellectual, recreational and social activities were associated with cognitive function. Males enjoyed extra benefits from recreational activities compared with females. Females enjoyed extra benefits from productive activities and social activities compared with males. Older age enjoyed extra benefits from productive activities, physical activities, intellectual activities, recreational activities, social activities in comparison with younger age. Thus, Chinese older adults need to make efforts to increase the time and variety of leisure activities, especially for the oldest old. Compared with other types of leisure activities, it’s more important for old men to participate in recreational activities, and for old women to participate in productive activities and social activities.

Evening recovery through nonwork creative activities: a diary study on well-being, self-expression, and absorption

ABSTRACT In this diary study, we examined whether creative activities during leisure are related to affective well-being at bedtime and work-related self-efficacy the next morning. We propose that these relationships are mediated by self-expression and moderated by absorption, with stronger relationships when absorption is high. Diary data were collected from 84 employes (N = 329 days) three times daily over five consecutive workweek days. We analyzed the data using multilevel modeling, controlling for other leisure activities. Results showed that nonwork creative activity was related to evening recovery, indicated by a change in affective well-being (higher positive activation, higher serenity, lower fatigue), but not with work-related self-efficacy. Self-expression mediated the relationship between nonwork creative activity and well-being, and absorption did not function as a moderator but as a mediator. Overall, these findings extend the research on nonwork creative activities and examine the underlying mechanisms between nonwork creative activity and affective well-being.

Assessment of the Recreational Potential of Flooded Quarries in Slovakia

This article focuses the assessment of the recreational potential of selected water-filled quarries in Slovakia, specifically the Škrabské, Beňatina, and Kraľovany quarries. Water-filled quarries represent a significant untapped resource that can contribute to the development of various leisure activities while simultaneously supporting local communities and environmental conservation. The main challenge of the study is finding a balance between the recreational use of these sites and the need to maintain ecological sustainability, which requires a detailed evaluation of the natural conditions, infrastructure, and accessibility of the individual quarries. The study focuses on a comprehensive assessment of the recreational potential of selected water-filled quarries in Slovakia, specifically the Škrabské, Beňatina, and Kraľovany quarries, using a methodology based on point evaluation according to criteria such as natural beauty, accessibility, existing infrastructure, and ecological status. The results of this study provide an important foundation for further research and decision-making processes in the transformation of water-filled quarries, aiming to maximize their recreational potential while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

The reflection of generation Z of leisure practices in Chinese audiovisual media: An analysis based on the YouTube platform

This study explores the reflection of Generation Z leisure culture in Chinese audiovisual media, with a focus on the YouTube platform. As China’s Generation Z becomes a key demographic in shaping digital and media consumption patterns, their leisure practices reflect a unique fusion of local and global influences. Through an analysis of content on YouTube, this research examines how audiovisual media portrays the leisure activities of Chinese Generation Z, including entertainment, social interaction, and self-expression. By investigating the cultural narratives and visual strategies used to engage this generation, the study reveals how YouTube serves as a platform for identity formation, a strong sense of national identity, and pride in Chinese traditional culture among Chinese Gen Z audiences. The findings contribute to understanding the broader impact of digital platforms on leisure habits and media discourse in contemporary China, highlighting the transformative role of audiovisual media in shaping youth culture. It also plays a significant cultural education function, enhancing the positive perception of Chinese culture on the international stage and elevating China's image.