Next Article in Journal
Exploratory Factor Analysis, Criterion and Psychometric Properties of a Proposed Scale to Measure the Risk of Eating Disorders in Adolescents (PETCA)
Previous Article in Journal
Functional Ego States, Behavior Patterns, and Social Interaction of Bulgarian Adolescents and Their Parents
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Societies
Volume 13
Issue 7
10.3390/soc13070155
societies-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Effect of Outdoor Leisure Activity Participation on Leisure Attitude, Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction

by
Won-Ick Song
1,* and
Byoung-Wook Ahn
2,*
1
Department of Sports Health Care Management, Sehan University, Yeongam-gun 58447, Republic of Korea
2
Department of Leisure Marine Sports, School of Marine-Sports, Seosan Campus, Hanseo University, Seosan-si 31962, Republic of Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Societies 2023, 13(7), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13070155
Submission received: 10 May 2023 / Revised: 12 June 2023 / Accepted: 27 June 2023 / Published: 28 June 2023
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a tendency for people to participate more frequently in outdoor leisure activities as opposed to indoor leisure activities. Leisure activities bestow various benefits. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of leisure attitude, serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction among outdoor leisure activity participants in South Korea. Therefore, this research is used to analyze the relationships amongst leisure attitudes, serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction among various theories about leisure. The participants in this study were collected from amongst 356 people who were frequent participants in outdoor leisure activities. For the data analysis, we used frequency, confirmatory analysis, reliability, correlation, and structural equaling modeling. The findings are as follows. First, leisure attitude had an influence on serious leisure and leisure satisfaction. Second, serious leisure had an effect on recreational specialization and leisure satisfaction. Third, recreational specialization had an influence on leisure satisfaction. According to the results of this study, leisure attitude and recreational specialization had insignificant effects, but all other hypotheses were accepted. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it was various reasons such as, leisure attitude, serious leisure, recreational specialization, leisure satisfaction and which was continuous participation in outdoor leisure activities were confirmed in South Korea.

1. Introduction

The number of people participating in outdoor leisure activities has been steadily increasing as the positive perception of leisure activities has increased, along with an increased interest in health [1]. Outdoor leisure activities have been known to have a significant impact on an individual’s physical and spiritual health. In addition, the interest in outdoor leisure activities has increased over time as modern individuals who have been experiencing increased stress caused by rapid urbanization possess a desire to return to nature. It is widely advised that outdoor leisure activities are activities that modern people should actively participate in to improve their health [2].
In 2020, society underwent sudden changes due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, all members of society had to practice social and physical distancing [3]. The number of people suffering from various symptoms of psychological and mental stress has increased rapidly. Social distancing, which was a measure implemented in order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, had the effect of blocking the spreading of the epidemic within groups [3]. However, social distancing also caused side effects, such as loneliness, depression and anxiety, decreased physical activity, and panic disorders [4]. Accordingly, it was necessary to make efforts to minimize the side effects related to social distancing through the maintenance of mental health or through the participation in appropriate leisure activities. For people who participated in leisure activities before the advent of the coronavirus, changes in the social environment due to the coronavirus resulted in the prevention of participation in leisure activities. So, we intend to analyze the relationship between leisure attitude, serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction for participants in outdoor sports (hiking, biking, golfing, paragliding).
First, leisure attitude defined as the attitude or state of mind that people possess regarding leisure. Some authors described this change as an interest and awareness in leisure based on leisure attitude at the present moment where one can enjoy leisure activities [5]. Previous studies have shown that leisure activity was positively related to leisure attitude, and that leisure behavior is an external expression of leisure attitude [6]. If an individual has a more positive leisure attitude, then that individual is more likely to regularly participate in the activity [7]. Leisure attitude is a crucial factor in the determination of leisure activities. Research into the attitudes of leisure participants aimed to analyze the leisure activities and identify the relationship or cause of participation. This suggests that the attitude towards leisure could be changed in the right direction [8]. Ragheb and Beard [9] recorded it as a learned and coherent action, either kind or unkind, to a given condition or situation, and they classified leisure attitude into cognitive, affective, and behavioral attitude patterns. Cognitive attitude affects a person’s general understanding, beliefs, and knowledge of leisure activities; affective attitude affects a person’s positive or negative emotions based on their past situation of leisure activities; and behavioral attitude affects a person’s current intention to participate in leisure activities based on their past leisure activity situation. LA is an internal state based on experiential knowledge or value about leisure [10]. According to a study by Shim and Lee, when the leisure attitude of college students increases, they become specialized in recreation, and Kim insisted that the formation of values or attitudes of a specific group brings about the specialization of leisure activities [11,12]. Kim and Song reported that it affects cognitive and behavioral aspects such as time use, importance of leisure, environment, time, and effort, and affective aspects such as values, retrospectives, and preferences [13].
Hypothesis (H1).
Leisure attitude has an influence on serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction.
Second, serious leisure concretely shows the psychological characteristics of people who continuously engage in leisure activities. Previous studies confirmed that the higher the level of serious leisure, the greater the psychological characteristics, such as a high sense of achievement, as well as the greater the functional results of the participants [14]. In other words, serious leisure is not the result of a functional leisure development process, such as people’s knowledge or skills, but rather, it is a concept that can be described as the psychological experience of leisure that continues on [15].
The adjective ‘serious’ in this case includes characteristics such as sincerity and attention rather than sobriety, distress, or unrest [16]. Perseverance and persistence, endeavor, leisure career, everlasting acquisitions, specific norms, and identification with the profession were some of the hallmarks of participation in serious leisure [17]. Considering the main activities of a participant in serious leisure, university programs for seniors can be an opportunity to develop this type of leisure during adulthood. For years, multiple investigations [18] pointed out that the participation in learning spaces had positive outcomes for older adults such as feeling satisfaction with oneself, improving self-worth, keeping the mind active, stimulating the mental faculty, and accomplishing pleasure, happiness, and authority. Looking at previous studies focused on serious leisure, the relationship between serious leisure and participation in outdoor leisure activities, leisure immersion, and the structural model analysis of happiness are the important factors that were actively being carried out for people who participate in outdoor leisure activities [19,20].
Hypothesis (H2).
Serious leisure has an influence on recreational specialization and leisure satisfaction.
Third, recreational specialization depends on the level of equipment use for the participant [21]. Recreational specialization was a concept that was first proposed by Little and Bryan to explain the diversity of people participating in specific activities [22,23]. Little described an expert as a person who has a specific interest in a specific object, event, or idea, invests a considerable amount of time, and has an enterprising mindset on the object, idea, or event [22]. Bryan systematically introduced the concept of recreational specialization and described recreational specialization as a cline from a public person to a specialist, which is expressed by the skill, equipment, and preference of the place of activity used when participating in leisure [23]. According to Scott and Shafer, recreational specialization is a process of recreational participants’ behavior, skills, knowledge, and commitment to a specific activity developed through a review. In addition, the recreational specialization process was conceptualized in the following three dimensions: action and concentration, commitment, and knowledge and skill. These three dimensions could be understood as a dynamic process of specialization that develops into different processes [24]. Park explained that participants with a relatively low degree of specialization and those with a high degree of specialization would show different aspects in skill level, equipment preference, location selection, and activity preference [25]. According to the recreational specialization process, participants in leisure activities go through developmental stages from beginners to experts, and various behavioral patterns appearing in the development process are used to characterize active leisure activities [26]. Recreational specialization, a concept introduced by Bryan, has been studied by many scholars, and research is being conducted in various directions according to areas of interest. In previous studies, Lee, Jang, Oh, and Kang reported that a higher value of recreational specialization indicates greater environmental friendliness [27]. Kim and Hwang stated that recreational specialization has a positive influence on leisure satisfaction and quality of life [28]. Leisure activities have a positive impact on individuals’ lives. In other words, leisure attitude and leisure facilitation could affect the recreational specialization of simulation golf participants.
Hypothesis (H3).
Recreational specialization has an influence on leisure satisfaction.
Fourth, leisure satisfaction improves the quality of human life through leisure activities, and also plays an effective role in the pursuit of self-actualization and happiness, which are the highest human needs, and the maintenance and promotion of health. Several researchers have discovered that this role plays a very important function in leisure activity participants and wields a significant impact on an individual’s life [29,30]. Yoo studied rafting participants and rock climbers [31]. As a result, it was concluded that as they became experts in an adventurous activity, the quality of their experience of the structural features of the activity deepened. After all, the experience of leisure activities could be divided into an experience related to the activity itself and an experience related to the surrounding properties of the activity.
Therefore, this study focuses on examining the relationship between the leisure attitudes, serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction of people who participate in outdoor leisure activities (hiking, biking, golfing, and paragliding). One of the best ways to overcome the mental and physical stresses related to the COVID-19 pandemic was to participate in outdoor leisure activities. Outdoor leisure activities have continued to be an important factor in helping people to overcome challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and have also provided us with various benefits.

2. Methods

2.1. Research Subject

The subjects of this research consisted of adults who participate in outdoor leisure activities. Activities that the adults participated in included hiking, biking, golfing, and paragliding. Data were gathered from 356 participants who engage in outdoor leisure activities using a convenience sampling method. This is a method in which a researcher extracts a sample from the population through an accessible and convenient method. In this study, a survey was conducted by directly visiting outdoor activity participants. The survey used the self-assessment method, in which the research subjects filled out the questionnaire themselves. A survey was conducted among 400 adults from 6 September 2021 to 24 February 2022. From the data collected, only 356 questionnaires were analyzed, while 44 questionnaires were discarded due to incompleteness of data.

2.2. Measurement

Data consisted of collected questionnaires, which contained 60 questions about the five instruments, such as sociodemographic characteristics (3 items), leisure attitude (12 items), serious leisure (14 items), recreational specialization (14 items), and leisure satisfaction (17 items).

2.2.1. Socio-Demographic Characteristics

As for the sociodemographic characteristic variables, participants were asked to report their gender, age, area, and outdoor leisure activities, among others. Among the 356 respondents, there were 195 males (54.8%) and 161 females (45.2%). The age was classified as follows: 30 years old and under (89, 25.0%), 31–40 years old (91, 25.5%), 41–50 years old (95, 26.7%), and 51 years old or above (81, 22.8%). Among the outdoor leisure activity patterns, there were data on individuals who engaged in the following activities: hiking (101), biking (98), golfing (86), and paragliding (71) (Table 1).

2.2.2. Leisure Attitude

To measure leisure attitude, a tool described by Lee [32], which was based on the development of the leisure attitude scale designed by Ragheb and Beard [33], was used. Leisure attitudes were surveyed using a 5-point scale, ranging from ‘strongly negative (1 point)’ to ‘strongly positive (5 points)’.

2.2.3. Serious Leisure

To measure serious leisure, based on the Serious Leisure Inventory and Measure (SLIM) by Gould et al., the questionnaire questions used by Hwang and Seo were modified and secured to fit the purposes of this study [34,35]. For serious leisure scale, a 5-point scale was used to respond to answers ranging from ‘strongly negative (1 point)’ to ‘strongly positive (5 points)’.

2.2.4. Recreational Specialization

The recreational specialization scale was developed by Lee, Park, and Hwang, and was revised by a specialist group for use as the recreational specialization scale in this study [36]. For the recreational specialization scale, a 5-point scale was used to respond to answers ranging from ‘strongly negative (1 point)’ to ‘strongly positive (5 points)’.

2.2.5. Leisure Satisfaction

The leisure satisfaction scale used by Ahn reported the analysis of equivalence and latent mean on the leisure satisfaction of Korean adults [37]. For the leisure satisfaction scale, a 5-point scale was used for responses, ranging from ‘strongly negative (1 point)’ to ‘strongly positive (5 points)’.

2.3. Validity and Reliability

2.3.1. Validity

The validity of the research scale was determined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). CFA was a procedure used for confirming the inherent factor dimension and hypothesis based on researcher knowledge [38]. The fitness indices used in this study consist of x2/df, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. First, the standard x2/df exponent was 3.0 for the fitness standard published by Carmines and McIver, and the CFI index was published by Bentler [39,40]. The TLI index was proposed by Bentler and Bonett, and the fit criterion between the CFI index and the TLI index was measured at 0.90 or higher [41]. The RMSEA index was published by Steiger and Lind, and the fit criterion was set at 0.08 or less [42,43]. The CFA results, including x2/df, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA as fitness indices, described the factor structure of each research scale, and are presented in Table 2. The results of the fitness indices of leisure attitude are as follows: x2/df, 2.419; CFI, 0.966; TLI, 0.956; and RMSEA, 0.063. The fitness indices of serious leisure are as follows: x2/df, 2.878; CFI, 0.964; TLI, 0.951; and RMSEA, 0.073. The fitness indices of recreational specialization are as follows: x2/df, 2.928; CFI, 0.966; TLI, 0.954; and RMSEA, 0.074. The fitness indices of leisure satisfaction are as follows: x2/df, 2.832; CFI, 0.954; TLI, 0.935; and RMSEA, 0.072. The fit of the research variable was found to be appropriate for each criterion.

2.3.2. Reliability

To test the reliability of the study variable, we calculated the Cronbach’s alpha between the overall and sub-factor-related verification level. The result of reliability was verified so that the overall reliability of questions was greater than 0.5, and the sub-factor was greater than 0.6. Concretely, the reliability of leisure attitude’s sub-factors were analyzed to be 0.894, 0.816, and 0.824, and the overall reliability measured at 0.874. The reliability of serious leisure was analyzed to be 0.933, 0.913, 0.889, 0.866, and 707, and the overall reliability was 0.885. The recreational specialization was analyzed to be 0.940, 0.883, and 0.884, and overall reliability measured at 0.941. The reliability of leisure satisfaction was analyzed to be 0.898, 0.897, 0.877, 0.724, and 0.814, and the overall reliability was 0.947 (Table 3).

2.4. Data Analysis Process

First, the analysis of the demographic variables of the subjects, including gender, age, and outdoor leisure activity pattern, were conducted. Second, the examination of the validity, the confirmatory factor analysis of all variables, and the calculation of the Cronbach’s α for all variable reliability were completed. Third, the correlation of research factors examined the bivariate correlation analysis. Finally, the verification of all variables examined the structural equation modeling. In order to verify the causal relationship between the variables in this study, the AMOS.18 program was applied. This program is powerful software that helps support research and theory by extending standard multivariate analysis methods. It is also well suited to describe attitude and behavior models to study complex relationships more accurately than standard multivariate statistical techniques. The statistical significance of all examinations was p < 0.05.

2.5. Study Ethic

All the research processes were reviewed and authorized by the Hanseo University Department of Sports Research Institutional Review Board. The research was in accordance with the rule expressed in the Declaration of Helsinki. The subjects provided consent to join the research study, and we accounted for the purposes and length of this research. All research subjects allowed researchers to use their personal information obtained from questionnaires for the purpose of this research, and all comprehended that they could refuse to continue to participate in the research at any time.

3. Result

3.1. Correlation

Before the structural equation model, the correlations among the variables were analyzed, primarily in order, to investigate the relationships between the measures of the research units, which were proven via single dimensioning. Based on the correlation analysis by factor, leisure attitude was correlated with serious leisure (r = 0.267), recreational specialization (r = 0.058), and leisure satisfaction (r = 0.676). The variable for serious leisure correlated with recreational specialization (r = 0.252) and leisure satisfaction (r = 0.402). The variable for recreational specialization correlated with leisure satisfaction (r = 0.381) (Table 4).

3.2. Model Fit

For the hypothesis of the study, the structural equation model was verified through the structural equation model. The fitness of the model verified the x2, x2/df, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. The result of the model fitness was as follows: x2, 156.425; x2/df, 2.852; CFI, 0.956; TLI, 0.937; and RMSEA, 0.067. Overall, all the indices satisfied the fit, and were then used for the empirical analysis (Table 5).

3.3. Hypothesis Verification

The first hypothesis was accepted, whereby it was shown that leisure attitude had a positive effect on serious leisure (β = 0.199, t = 1.989, p < 0.05). The second hypothesis was that serious leisure did not have an effect on recreational specialization (β = 0.024, t = 0.235, p > 0.05). The third hypothesis was accepted, whereby leisure attitude had a positive effect on leisure satisfaction (β = 0.603, t = 6.013, p < 0.001). The fourth hypothesis was accepted, in that serious leisure had a positive effect on recreational specialization (β = 0.136, t = 2.141, p < 0.01). The fifth hypothesis was accepted, whereby it was shown that serious leisure had a positive effect on leisure satisfaction (β = 0.255, t = 3.973, p < 0.01). The last hypothesis was not accepted, which was that recreational specialization had an effect on leisure satisfaction (β = 0.352, t = 3.897, p < 0.01) (Table 6).

4. Discussion

4.1. The Relation between Leisure Attitude, Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction

Leisure attitude was shown to have an influence on serious leisure. Leisure attitude refers to the degree of the individual’s perception of leisure activity. As the interest in leisure has increased, individuals have continued to participate in leisure activities. However, it has become difficult to participate in leisure activities due to the various environmental restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, it was accepted that serious leisure wields a positive effect as the cognitive, affective, and behavioral attitudes through leisure attitudes are positively formed. Recently, there were multiple restrictions on indoor and outdoor activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was believed that this may affect leisure activities as well. According to Park, it was found that pleasure and self-expression, which are related to leisure, especially affected the cognitive, affective, and behavioral attitudes of leisure activities in college students, including their daily leisure and serious leisure [44]. Therefore, in order to maintain and promote a healthy lifestyle, it is necessary to continuously participate in outdoor leisure activities, such as hiking and biking, which are also classified as leisure activities.
Leisure attitude did not influence recreational specialization. The results of this study contrast with the results of previous research. Recreational specialization, such as experience, skill, information, and knowledge, was enhanced through direct and continuous participation in leisure activities. However, it was shown that there was no significant change in recreational specialization due to the inability to actively participate in leisure activities as a result of circumstantial changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the case of golf participants, it was shown that it is difficult to continuously participate in a round of golf due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it did not affect the recreational specialization.
Leisure attitude influenced leisure satisfaction. Climbing and biking are outdoor leisure activities that were shown to be particularly easy to participate in. It was thought that leisure satisfaction, such as stress relief and health, improves through the participation in leisure activities in nearby parks and mountains while following personal quarantine rules even during the COVID-19 period. According to a study by Noh, the higher the leisure attitude, the more positive the effect on life satisfaction [45]. Lee and Lee also found that leisure attitudes influenced levels of self-actualization and life satisfaction [46]. In other words, it could be inferred that golfing and paragliding, among other outdoor leisure activities, increase satisfaction or happiness through continuous participation.

4.2. The Relation between Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction

Serious leisure has an influence on recreational specialization. Serious leisure is experienced through the acquirement of expertise, such as discovering the value and interest of leisure activities through continuous participation. Outdoor leisure activities, such as golfing, biking, and paragliding, are also outdoor sports that require various skills, physical strength, and expertise. In the era of COVID-19, serious leisure within the process of collecting information from the Internet and YouTube was thought to have a positive influence on recreational specialization. According to Kim, the higher the level of serious leisure, the higher the level of recreational specialization [47]. Choi also showed that people could experience psychological rewards such as sense of identity, self-reality, and self-esteem as they become specialized through serious leisure activities, and through this process, they could then immerse themselves in activities seriously [48]. According to Lee and Kim, serious leisure experiences, such as internal rewards and an improved sense of belonging and identity due to membership in a particular leisure social group, were also helpful in enhancing recreational specialization when continuously participating in specific leisure activities [49].
Serious leisure was shown to have an effect on leisure satisfaction. Serious leisure experienced through actively participating in leisure activities led to the experience of self-actualization, self-expression, and self-satisfaction. Individuals could also experience self-reflection and self-satisfaction when they reached the summit through mountain climbing. Participating in golfing and paragliding activities could also bring personal and social benefits and is considered as a way to improve leisure satisfaction. Koh and Kim revealed that serious leisure experiences directly and indirectly affect life satisfaction through the promotion of positive psychological capital [50]. Moon, Kim, and Seo asserted a positive relationship between serious leisure and quality of life by examining the fact that the characteristics of serious leisure had a positive influence on life satisfaction [51].
The amount of leisure satisfaction of those who participate in serious leisure was strongly important. Even if the level of serious leisure was high, and the satisfaction with the activity was low, it meant that the serious leisure that the individual was participating in did not help to improve the quality of their leisure satisfaction. Therefore, for the purpose of enhancing the quality of leisure satisfaction, it is necessary to suggest a plan that not only raises the level of serious leisure, but also increases the satisfaction with the leisure activities within which the individual is participating.

4.3. The Relation between Recreational Specialization and Leisure Satisfaction

Recreational specialization was discovered to have a positive influence on leisure satisfaction. Golfing and paragliding are sports that require a great deal of time and effort compared to other sports. It was also shown that leisure satisfaction improved as cognitive, emotional, and behavioral recreational specialization was strengthened, while also continuously participating in outdoor leisure activities. In particular, by continuously participating in outdoor leisure activities such as golf, people’s golf skills can be improved, and their interpersonal relationships can also be developed while four people play a round together. This was considered to have a positive effect on leisure satisfaction, because of the refining of skills and enhancement of interpersonal relationships. These results are consistent with the results of traditional studies that found that the participation in particular leisure activities also increased leisure satisfaction through the development of recreational specialization [52]. Recreational specializations represent a variety of behaviors, ranging from beginners to experts. In particular, in the process of developing the level of specialization, participants in leisure activities could experience leisure satisfaction. Leisure satisfaction is the most common result that can be experienced through the participation in leisure activities and is a major factor that can contribute to inducing re-engagement [53]. Similar to the contents described in previous studies, this study also shows that the participants experienced positive leisure satisfaction within the process of recreational specialization, confirming that the relationship between the two variables have a significant effect.

5. Conclusions

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of leisure attitude, serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction on outdoor leisure activity participants in Korea. The participants in this research consisted of 356 people who were participants of outdoor leisure activities. For data analysis, the researchers used frequency, confirmatory analysis, reliability, correlation, and structural equation modeling. The findings are as follows. First, leisure attitude had an effect on serious leisure. Second, leisure attitude did not have an effect on recreational specialization. Third, leisure attitude had an effect on the leisure satisfaction. Fourth, serious leisure had an effect on recreational specialization. Fifth, serious leisure had an effect on leisure satisfaction. Finally, recreational specialization had an effect on leisure satisfaction. According to the results of this study, leisure attitude and recreational specialization had insignificant effects, but all other hypotheses were accepted. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it was confirmed that various motives for participating in outdoor leisure activities in Korea remain. There is a need for research that provides basic data for policy proposals and infrastructure construction so that more people could continuously participate in outdoor leisure activities.
The recommendations for future research and limitations of this study are as follows: First, this study examines the leisure activity of participants who participate in leisure activities. Because it is limited to a specific region, it is difficult to represent the entire leisure activities of participants in Korea. Second, it is necessary to research ways to enhance the quality of life by participating in leisure activities by conducting research on various factors that will affect them.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, W.-I.S. and B.-W.A.; data curation, B.-W.A.; formal analysis, B.-W.A.; investigation, W.-I.S.; methodology, B.-W.A.; project administration, W.-I.S.; supervision, W.-I.S.; validation B.-W.A.; visualization, W.-I.S.; writing—original draft, W.-I.S. and B.-W.A.; writing—review and editing, B.-W.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This paper was supported by the Sehan University Research Fund in 2023 (SHU-2023002).

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Hanseo University Department of Sports Research Institutional Review Board.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved int the study.

Data Availability Statement

The study did not report any data.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Suh, K.-B.; Lee, S.-C. Structural relationship among leisure facilitator, leisure attitude, and subjective happiness of university students. Korean J. Leis. Recreat. Park 2021, 45, 13–20. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. White, E.; Bowker, J.-M.; Askew, A.-E.; Langner, L.-L.; Arnold, J.-R.; English, D.-B. Federal outdoor recreation trends: Effects on economic opportunities. In General Technical Report; PNW-GTR-945; Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Station: Portland, OR, USA, 2016. [Google Scholar]
  3. Kim, Y.-J.; Kim, E.-S. The effect of Covid-19 stress on work-leisure conflict and work-leisure facilitation in the COVID-19 situation. Korean J. Leis. Recreat. Park 2023, 46, 77–89. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Lim, J.-G.; Kim, J.-H. The structural relationship among recreation specialization, perceived restorative environment and leisure satisfaction in university students’ outdoor leisure sports participation. Korean J. Sport Sci. 2017, 26, 253–264. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Teixeira, A.; Freire, T. The leisure attitude scale: Psychometrics properties of short version for adolescents and young adults. Leiusre/Loisir 2012, 37, 57–67. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Koh, K.-W. Physical activity guideline for social distancing during COVID-19. Korean J. Health Educ. Promot. 2020, 37, 109–112. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Ragheb, M.-G.; Tate, T.-L. A behavioral model of leisure participation, based on leisure attitude, motivation, and satisfaction. Leis. Stud. 1993, 12, 61–70. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Lee, M.-J.; Kim, M.-L.; Kim, D.-J. An examination of the factor structure of the leisure attitude scale with sports-leisure participants. Korean J. Phys. Educ. 2006, 45, 77–86. [Google Scholar]
  9. Ragheb, M.-G.; Beard, J.-G. Measuring leisure attitude. J. Leis. Res. 1982, 14, 155–167. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Beggs, B.-A.; Elkins, D.-J. The Influence of Leisure Motivation on Leisure Satisfaction. LARNet-Cyber J. Appl. Leis. Recreat. Res. 2010. Available online: http://larnet.org/2010-02.html (accessed on 1 January 2022).
  11. Sim, K.-S. Analysis of casual structure among leisure attitude of university students, interpersonal relationship skill and recreation specialization. Korean J. Sport 2012, 10, 55–65. [Google Scholar]
  12. Kim, S.-I. The passion and persistence to the level of goal orientation in life sports participants. Korean J. Sport Psychol. 2009, 20, 61–76. [Google Scholar]
  13. Kim, E.-J.; Song, E.-I. The effects of a enjoyment factor of required golf class in the university on the leisure attitude and leisure satisfaction. Korean J. Sport 2016, 14, 479–488. [Google Scholar]
  14. Havitz, M.-E.; Dimanche, F. Leisure involvement revisited: Conceptual conundrums and measurement advance. J. Leis. Res. 1997, 29, 245–278. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Lee, B.-M. Exploring the role of leisure participation’s level and serious leisure on meaning in life. J. Tour. Leis. Res. 2015, 27, 155–175. [Google Scholar]
  16. Stebbins, R.-A. Positive Sociology: An Overview. In Positive Sociology of Leisure Contemporary Perspectives; Kono, S., Beniwal, A., Baweja, P., Spracklen, K., Eds.; Palgrave Macmillan: London, UK, 2020; pp. 13–26. [Google Scholar]
  17. Stebbins, R.-A. Leisure and Positive Psychology: Linking Activities with Positiveness; Springer: Basingstoke, UK, 2016. [Google Scholar]
  18. Stebbins, R.-A. New Directions in the Theory and Research of Serious Leisure; Edwin Mellen Press: Lewiston, ME, USA, 2001. [Google Scholar]
  19. Kim, M.-R.; Hwang, S.-H. Sporting event volunteers’ perceived benefit and satisfaction according to serious leisure levels. J. Phys. Educ. 2015, 53, 493–502. [Google Scholar]
  20. Kim, H.-H. The structural equation, model analysis among serious leisure, leisure flow and happiness. Korean J. Phys. Educ. 2013, 52, 411–420. [Google Scholar]
  21. Scott, D. Serious leisure, and recreation specialization: An uneasy marriage. Leis. Sci. 2012, 34, 366–371. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Little, B.-R. Specialization and the varieties of environmental experiences: Empirical studies within the personality paradigm. In Experiencing the Environment; Wapner, S., Cohen, S., Kaplan, B., Eds.; Plenum Press: New York, NY, USA, 1976. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Bryan, H. Leisure value systems and recreational specialization: The case of trout fisherman. J. Leis. Res. 1977, 9, 174–187. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Scott, D.; Shafer, C.-S. Recreational specialization: A critical look at the construct. J. Leis. Res. 2011, 33, 319–343. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Park, S.-H. Propositions for Measuring the Recreation Specialization in Leisure and Sport Contexts. Int. Sport. Sci. Congress. 1996, 756–763. [Google Scholar]
  26. Neulinger, J. To Leisure: An Introduction; Allyn and Bacon: New York, NY, USA, 1981. [Google Scholar]
  27. Withnall, A. Reflections on lifelong learning and the Third Age. In Lifelong Learning: Education across the Lifespan; Field, J., Leicester, M., Eds.; Routledge Falmer: London, UK, 2021; pp. 289–299. [Google Scholar]
  28. Oh, C.-O.; Ditton, R.-B. Using recreation specialization to understand conservation support. J. Leis. Res. 2008, 40, 556–573. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Lee, K.-S.; Jang, A.-S.; Oh, C.-O.; Kang, S.-K. Understanding trekkers’ motivations, pro-environmental attitudes, and behavioral intention by recreation specialization: A case of trekkers in Geumoh Island. J. Tour. Stud. 2016, 28, 101–122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Hwang, S.-H.; Kim, M.-L. The relationship between recreation specialization, leisure satisfaction, and the quality of life. J. Sport Leis. Stud. 2010, 42, 1287–1294. [Google Scholar]
  31. Yoo, J.-E. Attitude toward leisure, satisfaction with leisure policy, and happiness are mediated by satisfaction with leisure activities. Sci. Rep. 2022, 12, 11723. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  32. Lee, M.-J. An Examination of the Factor Structure of the Leisure Attitude Scale: With Sports-Leisure Attitude Scale. Master’s Thesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2006. [Google Scholar]
  33. Beard, J.-G.; Ragheb, M.-G. Measuring leisure satisfaction. J. Leis. Res. 1980, 12, 20–33. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Gould, J.; Moore, D.; McGuire, F.; Stebbins, F.-A. Development of the serious leisure inventory and measure. J. Leis. Res. 2000, 84, 47–68. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Hwang, H.-S.; Seo, H.-J. Relationships among Leisure Constraints, Leisure Constraints Negotiation, and Serious Leisure. Korean J. Sport Sci. 2009, 20, 298–307. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Lee, M.-J.; Park, I.-H.; Hwang, S.-H. Recreation Specialization Scale Development. J. Sport Leis. Stud. 2011, 44, 453–465. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Ahn, B.-W.; Song, W.-I. A study of differences in leisure satisfaction of leisure activity patterns for South Korea adults. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 10790. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Kim, K.-S. AMOS18.0 Structural Equation Model; Hannarae: Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2011. [Google Scholar]
  39. Carmines, E.G.; McIver, J.P. Analyzing Models with Unobserved Variables: Analysis of Covariance Structures. In Social Measurement: Current Issues; Bohrnstedt, G.W., Borgatta, E.F., Eds.; Sage Publications, Inc.: Beverly Hills, CA, USA, 1981; pp. 65–115. [Google Scholar]
  40. Bentler, P.-M. Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychol. Bull. 1990, 107, 238–246. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Bentler, P.-M.; Bonett, D.-G. Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychol. Bull. 1980, 88, 588–606. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Steiger, J.-H. Statistically Based Tests for the Number of Common Factors; The Annual Meeting of the Psychometric Society: Iowa City, IA, USA, 1980. [Google Scholar]
  43. Hong, S.-H. The criteria for selecting appropriate fit indices in structural equation modeling and their rationales. Korean J. Clin. Psychol. 2000, 19, 161–177. [Google Scholar]
  44. Park, Y.-H. The Structural impact of leisure involvement and leisure attitude on casual and serious leisure behaviors of college students. Korean J. Tour. Hosp. Res. 2012, 26, 41–56. [Google Scholar]
  45. Roh, S.-Y. The relationship between leisure attitude exercise rehabilitation recreation specialization, life satisfaction and happiness of university students. Korean J. Exerc. Rehabil. 2012, 8, 42–60. [Google Scholar]
  46. Lee, N.-M.; Lee, K.-M. The Relationship between Time Management Behavior, Leisure Attitude, Life Satisfaction, and Self-actualization of University Students. J. Sport Leis. Stud. 2010, 39, 837–849. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Kim, M.-G. The relationships between serious leisure, recreation specialization and leisure addiction. J. Leis. Stud. 2015, 13, 89–104. [Google Scholar]
  48. Choi, S.-B. The casual relationships serious leisure and recreation specialization by golfer. J. Sport Leis. Stud. 2010, 42, 1389–1399. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Lee, Y.-J.; Kim, M.-L. The Relationships between Serious Leisure, Recreation Specialization, Flow, and Happiness. Korean J. Sport Sci. 2011, 22, 2401–2411. [Google Scholar]
  50. Koh, D.-W.; Kim, B.-G. The Structural Relationships among Seriousness in Leisure Experience, Positive Psychological Capital for Leisure, and Life Satisfaction. Korean J. Consum. Advert. Psychol. 2016, 17, 179–198. [Google Scholar]
  51. Moon, B.-R.; Kim, N.-R.; Seo, J.-R. The influence of the golf participants serious leisure on immersion and life satisfaction. Korean J. Golf. Stud. 2016, 10, 21–30. [Google Scholar]
  52. Lee, J.-H.; Choi, W.-O.; Lee, H. The relationship between the level of participation, recreation specialization, and the life quality of participants in dance sports. J. Sport Leis. Stud. 2012, 49, 437–446. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  53. Kim, M.-L. Leisure satisfaction and leisure flow according to subdivided level of participation: Focusing on serious leisure and recreation specialization. Korean J. Sport Sci. 2012, 23, 566–574. [Google Scholar]
Table
Table 1. Characteristics of the research subject.
Table 1. Characteristics of the research subject.
ConceptsN%
GenderMale19554.8
Female16145.2
Age30 years old and under8925.0
31–40 years old9125.5
41–50 years old9526.7
51 years old over8122.8
Leisure activity patternHiking10128.4
Biking9827.5
Golfing8624.2
Paragliding7119.9
Table
Table 2. The result of validity.
Table 2. The result of validity.
x2x2/dfTLICFIRMSEA
Leisure attitude123.3772.4190.9560.9660.063
Serious leisure192.8592.8780.9510.9640.073
Recreational specialization199.1332.9280.9540.9660.074
Leisure satisfaction247.7232.8320.9350.9540.072
Table
Table 3. The results of reliability testing.
Table 3. The results of reliability testing.
ClassificationSub DomainsNumber of QuestionsCronbach’s α
Leisure attitudeCognitive40.894
Emotional40.816
Behavioral40.824
Total120.874
Serious LeisurePatience30.933
Professionalism30.913
Effort30.889
Personal reward30.866
Identify as Indigenous20.707
Total140.885
Recreational specializationBehavior60.940
Emotion50.883
Cognition30.884
Total140.941
Leisure satisfactionStress solution30.898
Health40.897
Technical development30.877
Interpersonal relationship40.723
Self-development30.814
Total170.947
Table
Table 4. The results of correlation analysis.
Table 4. The results of correlation analysis.
1234
Leisure attitude1
Serious leisure0.267 *1
Recreational specialization0.0580.252 *1
Leisure satisfaction0.676 ***0.402 **0.381 **1
* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
Table
Table 5. The results of model fit verification.
Table 5. The results of model fit verification.
x2x2/dfCFITLIRMSEA
Model fit156.4252.8520.9560.9370.067
Table
Table 6. The results of the hypothesis verification.
Table 6. The results of the hypothesis verification.
Hypothesisβt-Value
H1-1Leisure Attitude → Serious Leisure0.199 (0.159)1.989 *Accepted
H1-2Leisure Attitude → Recreational Specialization0.024 (0.016)0.235Unaccepted
H1-3Leisure Attitude → Leisure Satisfaction0.603 (0.416)6.013 ***Accepted
H2-1Serious Leisure → Recreational Specialization0.136 (0.074)2.141 *Accepted
H2-2Serious Leisure → Leisure Satisfaction0.255 (0.156)3.973 **Accepted
H3Recreational Specialization → Leisure Satisfaction0.352 (0.255)3.897 **Accepted
* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, ( ): Standardized regression weights.
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Song, W.-I.; Ahn, B.-W. Effect of Outdoor Leisure Activity Participation on Leisure Attitude, Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction. Societies 2023, 13, 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13070155

AMA Style

Song W-I, Ahn B-W. Effect of Outdoor Leisure Activity Participation on Leisure Attitude, Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction. Societies. 2023; 13(7):155. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13070155

Chicago/Turabian Style

Song, Won-Ick, and Byoung-Wook Ahn. 2023. "Effect of Outdoor Leisure Activity Participation on Leisure Attitude, Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction" Societies 13, no. 7: 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13070155

APA Style

Song, W. -I., & Ahn, B. -W. (2023). Effect of Outdoor Leisure Activity Participation on Leisure Attitude, Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction. Societies, 13(7), 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13070155

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop