Leisure Professionals Research Articles

Influence of leisure experiences on smartphone addiction and emotional distress

ABSTRACT Smartphone use has substantially increased among college students in the U.S. Previous researchers have found excessive smartphone use to be one of several antecedents to negative behavioural and psychological health outcomes. However, there has been little research on the influences of various factors related to leisure experiences (i.e. leisure awareness, boredom, challenge, and distress) on negative behavioural and emotional problems. Therefore, we examined the effects of leisure experiences on smartphone addiction and emotional distress. Utilizing responses from undergraduate students (n = 601), a structural analysis was implemented to determine several hypothetical relationships. Results revealed that leisure awareness, boredom, and challenge significantly influenced the occurrence of smartphone addiction, but leisure distress did not. These results imply the important role of leisure experiences among college students. Leisure professionals should consider promoting various resources and activities to hold students’ interest in leisure activities and improve their psychological well-being.

Boredom in the workplace and its relationship to life satisfaction among recreation and leisure professionals

This study examined the relationship between job boredom and life satisfaction among recreation and leisure professionals. Data was collected from 346 members of Florida Recreation and Parks Association. A set of regression analyses were used to find out if job boredom improved the prediction of life satisfaction and differences in demographic variables among recreation and leisure professionals. The findings suggest that job boredom is a negative predictor of life satisfaction. Recreational professionals who experience boredom at work were less likely to be satisfied in their lives. Age and years in the recreation profession were significantly related to job boredom of recreation and leisure professionals. Older and more experienced professionals were less likely to get bored at the workplace than younger and less experienced ones. Suggestions were made based on the results of the study. It is implied that administrators may develop appropriate decisions to reduce job boredom levels, increase job satisfaction, and improve individuals’ life satisfaction by examining which employees feel boredom in the workplace.

스포츠레저 산업전공 학생의 노인 레저스포츠에 대한 인식 : Q 방법론적 접근

The purpose of this study was to examine and stylize the structure of the perception of elderly leisure sports recognized by college students majoring in sports leisure industry through Q methodology, to understand the characteristics of each type and to provide the basic data of the development and application of elderly leisure sports programs for future elderly. Q-methodology which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item was used. 29 selected Q-statements were derived from a literature review and interviews. 50 of college students majoring in sports leisure industry were classified into a shape of normal distribution using 9-point scale. Collected data were analyzed by the PC-QUANL program. Four types of perception by college students majoring in sports leisure industry were identified. The name for type Ⅰ was ‘Type of visionary Future Industry Prospection’, type II was ‘Type of Recognition of needs to be reflected in daily life, Thye III was ’Type of recognition of the need for elderly leisure professionals, type IV was ‘Type of recognizing the Need for Leisure Development for the Elderly’. This study suggested that the response strategies should be applied differently to match the type of college students majoring in sports leisure industry. Therefore, based on this research, we hope that will understand the perception of college students majoring in sports leisure industry and provide a foundation for discussions on the current status and problems of sports for elderly and development measures accordingly.

International Student Engagement for Sustainability of Leisure Participation: An Integrated Approach of Means-End Chain and Acculturation

This study examined international students’ engagement in leisure activities using data derived from an integrated method and analyzed through acculturation and means-end chain approaches. A cluster analysis was conducted to identify acculturation types. An initial qualitative survey with 30 respondents produced the questionnaire items, and a quantitative survey to construct value maps was conducted targeting 415 respondents. The cluster analysis identified bicultural acceptance, heritage culture maintenance, and bicultural marginalization as distinct types that distinguish the acculturation level among international students. The results from three acculturation types indicate that the significant items and strong linkages between attribute-consequence and consequence-value at each level reflect the international students’ inner thoughts and ultimate value. Such strong associations provide value maps, which differ according to the acculturation types. Such findings present that availability of leisure services is necessary to better cater to the special interests of international students at different stages of acculturation. Given that international student mobility has increased substantially, relevant leisure professionals and organizations should understand that international students’ sustainable leisure engagement can only be achieved if attention is paid to cultural contexts.

Exploring Work-Life Balance for Recreation and Leisure Professionals Enrolled in an Undergraduate Degree Pathway Program

Many recreation and leisure professionals are looking for opportunities to upgrade their skills and knowledge in the context of their work. For some professionals that involves returning to post-secondary education. Yet, most undergraduate degree programs are designed in formats for students who are assumed to have little prior professional experience, knowledge, and skills and who do not work full-time. As such, in 2016, Brock University in partnership with Centennial College, launched a university degree pathway program for recreation and leisure professionals. In this paper we explore experiences of recreation and leisure professionals enrolled in the degree pathway program. The findings highlight how students navigated (and attempted to balance) full-time studies while managing competing priorities and responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. In the discussion, we share implications of this research for curriculum developers interested in designing post-secondary programs for diverse students.

Cultural safety: a lens to consider leisure provision in cross-cultural contexts

ABSTRACT Research Question: The purpose of this paper is to advance the idea of cultural safety as a form of praxis for sport and leisure managers. Cultural safety recognizes intersectionality and the diversity of identities and social structures that influence how sport, recreation, and leisure is perceived, understood, and experienced. Cultural safety also recognizes the power inherent in professional relationships, and requires scholars, managers, and practitioners to critically reflect, and recognize how their own assumptions and understandings impact their professional practice. Research Methods: Using confessional tales presented as vignettes from our personal experiences in the field, we use an autoethnographic analysis to demonstrate how cultural safety may be used as a form of leisure praxis. Research Findings: We discuss how cultural safety can be engaged as a form of leisure praxis which includes theory and practice alongside reflection, and action. Implications: In conclusion, we reflect on how cultural safety can aid leisure professionals in reflecting on and improving their own professional practice.

An Inclusive Approach to Exploring Perceptions of Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Physical Activity among Black and African-American Girls: Smart Fit Girls Melanin Magic

Adolescent girls experience high rates of body dissatisfaction and poor self-esteem (SE), as well as low levels of participation in physical activity (PA). Outside of traditional sports, few recreation opportunities exist to promote physical, emotional and mental well-being in adolescent girls, particularly among Black and African-American (AA) girls. In order for parks and recreation organizations to provide programming in a culturally relevant way, it is critical to more deeply understand the lived experiences of Black and AA girls, specifically related to SE, body image (BI) and PA. Doing so will enable leisure professionals to better co-create opportunities to engage Black and AA adolescent girls in programming aimed to promote PA and positive BI and SE. In order to examine girls’ lived experiences with an inclusive lens, Black and AA adolescent girls are considered the experts and should be included in all stages of the process. The purpose of this project was to engage in an inclusive formative evaluation in order to explore perceptions and experiences of PA, SE and BI among a group of Black and AA adolescent girls. Ten adolescent girls formed a leadership council (Smart Fit Girls Melanin Magic) and took the lead on culturally adapting the existing Smart Fit Girls (SFG) curriculum using Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). A first step, and the focus of this paper, was to explore unique experiences with SE, BI, and participation in PA. Principles of YPAR were utilized to empower the leadership council to participate in thematically coding the group discussion. Girls reported that PA provides positive mental health benefits to girls, and that they experience significant barriers, both internal and external, to being active. While girls self-reported experiencing depressive symptoms related to poor SE, and that being in predominantly white spaces leads to poor SE, they also noted the benefit of engaging in positive affirmations. Girls also reported that social comparison negatively affects their BI, and that hair is a salient factor in BI. Finally, results showed general negative BI among participants, which is compounded by girls’ interactions with others. Results from this inclusive qualitative data analysis will inform the design of new programming within parks and recreation to uniquely support Black and AA girls’ experiences with PA, SE and BI. Authors encourage reflection as a field on evaluation practices and suggest inclusive approaches to better facilitate programming and achieve the social justice and equity goals of parks and recreation. Subscribe to JPRA

The São Paulo Declaration (1998): Nothing Dates More Rapidly than the Present

The Sao Paulo Declaration (1998) committed leisure professionals to extending Rights, Inclusion and Social Order in leisure customs and practice. The engine for this intervention consisted of the twin processes of globalization and cosmopolitanism. Both were seen as dissolving economic and political barriers. The Declaration did not make use of the term 'world society'. On the other hand it clearly defined itself to be part of a global movement that addressed leisure for all. In the last 20 years, the progress made n fulfilling the terms of the Declaration has been disappointing. Economic barriers of wealth inequality and uneven development in globalization and cosmopolitanism have blocked many aspects of the Rights, Inclusion and Order articulated in the Declaration. This paper examines how far globalization and cosmopolitanism have progressed in achieving the principle that 'all persons have the right to leisure.' It examines data on wealth inequality, debt and unemployment rates to consider some of the concrete impediments. It concludes by maintaining that there is a need to go beyond the Sao Paulo Declaration by addressing the economic and political barriers that currently prevent leisure from being a right for all.

Leisure in later life for people with intellectual impairments: beyond service provision toward person coherence

ABSTRACT Rooted in a paradigmatic history of institutionalization and dependency, leisure professionals have assumed that without intervention, retirees with intellectual impairments may experience loneliness, isolation, and inactivity when leaving the structured settings of sheltered employment. The belief that expert-driven programs are necessary to live active, engaged, and meaningful retirements reflects an enduring deficits-based discourse of disability. The purpose of the study was to understand the experiences of three men with intellectual impairments who enjoyed self-directed active leisure in retirement without professional supports or constraints of recreation and leisure specialists. Using narrative inquiry methodology the inward experiences of places that supported autonomous retirement leisure were uncovered; the senior centre, rural connections, downtown, and church. Their stories illustrated rejection of the professional landscape of expert-driven leisure programs by composing self-directed leisure activities interconnected with their past interests, preferred social networks, and place. Their narratives disrupted beliefs that professionally crafted programs are necessary for a satisfying, active, and engaging retirement. An alternate paradigmatic lens of personal coherence emerged reflecting self-driven expressions of leisure based upon personal history, autonomy, and choice.

Stress and Coping Associated With Acculturation Among North Korean Defectors

While adapting to a new culture, North Korean defectors may develop their own coping strategies and utilize coping resources to deal with acculturative stress. The purpose of this study was to identify the stress-coping strategies utilized by North Korean defectors. Using semistructured in-depth interviews, three salient themes as the major coping strategies were identified: (a) engagement in meaningful activities, (b) emotional and social support, and (c) personal growth. This study suggested that leisure professionals in South Korea create and provide a variety of recreational programs through which North Korean defectors can engage with host individuals in order to increase their health and well-being.

English

Identifying and securing reliable funding has long been cited as a major challenge to growth by recreation and leisure professionals (Crompton, 1999; Walls, 2009). Whereas municipal park and recreation agencies have traditionally relied on tax-supported revenues, fiscal conservatism and recent economic conditions have necessitated entrepreneurial park funding strategies such as corporate sponsorship (Mowen, Kyle, Borrie, & Graefe, 2006; Walls, 2009). However, a greater understanding of constituent perspectives is needed for park and recreation agencies to effectively pursue, design, and manage sponsorships. This study seeks to add to the understanding of how park constituents perceive corporate sponsorship in public parks. Specifically, this study assesses how park constituents personally perceived advantages and disadvantages of corporate sponsorship of a public park agency. A qualitative method was utilized in order to allow constituents a chance to express their opinions in their own words. Data were collected through three open-ended questions attached to a larger online survey of park users about corporate sponsorship activities by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA). Data were analyzed using a constant comparison method (Corbin & Strauss, 2007). Participants identified both potential positive and negative outcomes of corporate sponsorship activity, as well as reasons for support or nonsupport. Monetary benefits, and the resulting service, facility, community, and economic benefits were identified as positives. Negatives involved a perceived loss of public ownership, increased commercialization, poor sponsor/agency fit, and negative impacts on the park setting and experience. Respondents also provided advice for pursuing sponsorships, including pursuing other options first, creating a well-defined set of limits to sponsorship activity, emphasizing public benefits, and restricting where sponsorship activity could occur. Results from this study reinforce the notion that corporate sponsorship is a complex and potentially divisive issue. Sponsorship benefits often come with strings attached, and for many respondents the negative impact of sponsorship on these public spaces outweighed the potential positives. Park and recreation agencies wishing to pursue corporate sponsorship should tread carefully when initiating or expanding sponsorship programs. Soliciting public opinion, emphasizing public benefits to sponsorship, proceeding with caution, and establishing a set of guidelines is recommended. Certain areas within and services of the agency may be more suitable to sponsorship than others, and the location and context of the situation should be considered.

Leisure Motivation of Older Adults in Relation to Other Adult Life Stages

This cross-sectional study examined motivation for participation in physical activity at different adult life stages. T test analysis revealed no differences based on gender. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated differences based on life stage. Individuals in the 18–24 age range were highly motivated by competence mastery factors. In addition, participants older than age 65 were more highly motivated by social aspects of leisure. These results suggest that leisure professionals should seek to offer young adults options that help develop skills while older adult options should be focused less on competency and more on building social environments.

Noise in Leisure Activities

This paper presents a literature review of scientific production on the theme of 'noise in leisure activities.’ Journals in the Virtual Health Library were examined on issues such as noise, occupational noise and noise in leisure activities. The publications reviewed in this study are divided into two categories: effects on hearing, and measurement of sound pressure levels. The findings of the literature review reveal the urgent need to adopt preventive measures and to raise the awareness of public authorities, health and leisure professionals, and the general public about the problem of noise. Simulations of the acoustic descriptor speech transmission index STI were performed in 4 gym academies, and the results show that the quality of communication range from bad to satisfactory, given that noise levels are high.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR APA PROFESSIONALS IN SPORT: A REFLEXIVE APPROACH IN EUROPE

Adapted Physical Activity (APA) is a service delivery profession and an academic field of study which supports an attitude of acceptance of individual differences, advocates enhancing access to active lifestyles and sport, and promotes innovation and cooperative service delivery and empowerment systems. The promotion of active lifestyles and sport & leisure quality activities for people with disabilities require specific skills and competences among sport & leisure professionals that can only be achieved through an adequate academic and professional training. The purpose of the present work is to disseminate the main achievements of European Standards in Adapted Physical Activity (EUSAPA) project, in the specific area of sport and recreation including the: (i) identification and description of needs from all partner countries, (ii) description of their competencies and definition of academic standards and (iii) development of an international academic framework to improve the quality of professional training in APA at European level. Results showed that there is still a long way to walk for the homogenization of APA services in the different state members both in the type of services provided and the specific background of the professionals that provide those services. Different types of professionals with and without academic training in APA are participating in the process with different skills and competences providing different levels of service delivery in sport and recreation areas. The development of an international academic framework is a priority to guarantee the quality of professional training in APA and the new Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in APA is appointed to be considered as a good example of a theoretical framework which incorporates practical courses in different intervention areas seen as vital for APA delivery coaching services in sport and leisure areas.

An exploratory study of elderly leisure engagements among residents in a contiguous milieu within a regional context

Research in leisure activities and leisure in general within the older generation among the population is still in its development stages in South Africa. For the elderly i.e. those people above the age of sixty years, this is a period for accepting new roles and a new life status. During this time of life, emotional, physical and financial adjustments may be made in relation to the aging process. The purpose of the study was to identify the various types of leisure participation within the older adult generation and to examine differences in participation between gender and population categories. In addition, the study examined whether the elderly are diverse in terms of life satisfaction, health status, stress and sense of security. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted in both urban and semi-urban areas. This was followed by a quantitative study. Whilst a small sample of 75 respondents was interviewed the results provide an unpretentious start and add to the findings of other researchers on leisure activities. The results of the study reveal that the popularity of leisure activity varied according to gender and population categories. Leisure participation levels of the elderly were limited, depending, at least in part, on the community in which they live and their particular life circumstances. The majority of the elderly showed a high level of life dissatisfaction during this stage of their lives and subsequently reported high levels of stress, insecurity and poor health status. Gaining a deeper understanding of the elderly leisure activities is not an option for recreational, leisure professionals and the government, but a necessity for future growth of leisure in an enabling environment for a rapidly aging population. Policies need to be in place to ensure that older adults have access to leisure opportunities and facilities in order to participate in meaningful engagements within their communities. Key words: Leisure, elderly, life satisfaction, stress, sense of security

Ten Categories of Entrepreneurial Climate to Encourage Rural Tourism Development

Entrepreneurship has been embraced in the last decade as a strategy for rural economic development, especially in areas where traditional industries have declined. Rural tourism development, which is largely leisure‐based and can encompass many segments of tourism such as agritourism, ecotourism, and cultural‐heritage tourism, has also emerged as a tactic for communities to tap into their natural and cultural assets as a means of sustainable revenue. These two areas of scholarship and practice hold a strong overlap because entrepreneurs create many rural tourism businesses. However, little is noted in the tourism literature about the formula for success for a rural tourism entrepreneur. This paper revises McGehee and Kline's (2008) 12 categories of tourism entrepreneurship using existing research to provide a more specific and detailed strategy for the creation of entrepreneurial climates that support rural tourism. The resulting framework provides the information necessary for rural tourism and leisure professionals, economic developers, and community development professionals to identify barriers to the effective growth of a rural tourism entrepreneurial climate in their region.

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

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.

Toward A Quality Leisure Experience: The Practice of Mindfulness

Mindfulness practice is a self-observing contemplative practice originally derived from the ancient Buddhist tradition. In this tradition, our ordinary state of consciousness is viewed as being limited and distracted by others. The practice releases us from the busy ‘prison’ state and leads to the state of being awake and liberated, making it possible for us to live our lives with a full spectrum. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the essential process of mindfulness practice and its relationship to leisure. The main ideas of this paper are two-fold. First, contemplative practice is the essence of leisure. Second, contemplative practice produces a quality leisure experience. For the former, the ancient meaning of the word ‘leisure’ is investigated in its relationship to contemplation. For the latter, mindfulness practice is viewed in terms of the original sutra, and the therapeutic effects and benefits of this practice are discussed in some specific cases. As a result of the analysis, this paper finds that mindfulness practice creates a special experience which has profound relevance to the quality of leisure such as choice, freedom, tranquility, flow, satisfaction and positive outcomes. It creates not only internal balance but also wellbeing, the positive sense of health. As leisure professionals, this study suggests, in conclusion, that we need to restore the essence of leisure—the contemplative quality—reclaiming our leisure-identity and significant role in a world obsessed by the ‘rapids.’

“Take Back Your Time”: Facilitating a Student Led Teach-In

“Take Back Your Time” (TBYT) is a movement founded by John De Graaf (2003) that exposes the issues of time poverty and overwork in the United States and Canada. This article features the process whereby undergraduate students study De Graaf's TBYT handbook, discuss its concepts, and organize a student-led TBYT “teach-in” for their college community. Primary learning objectives include (a) increasing students' awareness of the societal issues of time poverty and overwork, (b) increasing students' understanding of how overwork and time poverty can be addressed by recreation and leisure professionals, and (c) identifying ways to reverse the effects of time poverty and help people live healthier, more balanced lives. This learning activity would be suitable for courses in leisure education, program or event planning, current issues, or the foundations of the recreation and leisure profession.

The influence of market segment information on professionals' demarketing preferences for municipal golf services*

This quasi‐experimental research was conducted to investigate the impact of market segment information on demarketing decisions. It was hypothesized that segmentation information would influence demarketing decisions and that respondents would differentiate decisions on the basis of management outcomes related to efficiency and equity. The sample consisted of 103 full‐time leisure professionals working for municipal agencies that operated golf courses. After reading information regarding a hypothetical golf operation facing acute social or environmental carrying capacity issues, respondents completed a questionnaire outlining various demarketing options. Repeated measures ANOVA suggested that segmentation information influenced demarketing preferences (p < .05) in two of four cases. Respondents consistently reported that demarketing options were more equitable than efficient (p < .05). Limiting program access on a market‐by‐market basis raises numerous philosophical questions which are discussed with an agenda for future demarketing segmentation research.