No description available.

The purpose of this study was to examine family communication within the Core and Balance Model of Family Leisure Functioning. This was accomplished using path analysis, specifically using a mediator model. Family leisure was measured using the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP), family functioning using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES II), and family communication using the Family Communication Scale (FCS). The sample was youth (n = 90) and parents (n = 123) from 25 different states in the US. Family leisure involvement predicted family functioning variables from the youth and family perspectives, but only partially from the parent perspective. Family leisure also predicted family communication from the youth and family perspectives, but not from the parent perspective. Family communication predicted family functioning from all of the perspectives. Path analyses from the youth perspective indicated that the relationship between core family leisure and family flexibility was mediated by family communication, as well as the relationship between balance family leisure and family cohesion. Path analyses from the parent perspective indicated the same mediation by communication as the youth, with an addition of the mediation of the relationship between balance family leisure and family flexibility. The data indicated that family communication does mediate some of the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning among families that include children with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 154 families (154 parents and 62 youth). Data were analyzed from the parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family functioning. A scale based upon the definition, classification, and systems of support manual of the American Association on Mental Retardation adapted by Dyches was used to measure the level of support needed by the child with a developmental disability. Blocked multiple regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between core family leisure and family cohesion, adaptability and overall family functioning, but the analyses indicated no relationship between balance family leisure and family cohesion, adaptability, and overall family functioning from all three perspectives. Results also indicated that family functioning and family leisure involvement were very similar between traditional families and families including children with developmental disabilities. Implications for practitioners and recommendations for further research are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to examine to the contribution of fathers' involvement in family leisure to aspects of family functioning. The sample consisted of 647 families of fathers and a youth from throughout the United States. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family functioning. Results from the father and youth perspective indicated significant relationships between father involvement in both core and balance family leisure to various aspects of family functioning. Core family leisure involvement was the only family leisure involvement variable related to family adaptability from the youth perspective. From both the father and youth perspective, core family leisure satisfaction was the single strongest predictor of all aspects of family functioning. Findings provide implications for fathers, families, scholars, professionals, and policy makers.

The purpose of this study was to examine how attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control influence adolescents' intent to participate in active family leisure and furthermore to explore the nature of the relationship between active family leisure and body mass index (BMI) among adolescents. Adolescents (N = 472) completed an online questionnaire assessing the theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables, active family leisure, individual active leisure, and BMI. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Tests of direct paths of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control to intent indicated these variables were significant predictors of intent to participate in active family leisure. The combination of attitude and subjective norm was the greatest predictor of intent. The TPB was extended to examine the relationship between active family leisure and BMI. There was not a significant relationship; however the TPB did accurately model the behavior of active family leisure. Findings suggest the influence of friends and family is a strong predictor for active family leisure. This highlights the important role families and friends can play to encourage adolescents' participation in active family leisure.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family leisure satisfaction to aspects of family functioning and satisfaction with family life among urban Russian families. Specifically, this study examined how both family leisure involvement (core and balance) and family leisure satisfaction contributed to the explanation of variance in family functioning and satisfaction with family life. The behavioral factor of family alcohol consumption was also included in the analysis. Furthermore, because the data were nested in families, and because most family leisure research has been limited to individual-level analyses, this study accounted for family-level variance by incorporating mixed modeling in addition to accounting for individual level variance. The sample consisted of 597 families residing in urban Russia with a child between the ages of 11 and 15. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES II) was used to measure family functioning. Mixed model analysis indicated core family leisure satisfaction was the single strongest predictor of all aspects of family functioning as well as satisfaction with family life from the family perspective. There were also positive relationships between both core and balance family leisure involvement to various aspects of family functioning. Analysis further indicated a significant negative relationship between alcohol consumption and both family functioning and satisfaction with family life. These relationships were significant even when accounting for the variance explained by demographic variables of age, income, marital status, and ethnicity. Findings support existing family leisure research. This study, however, goes beyond existing research by accounting for family-level variance as well as accounting for the role alcohol consumption plays when explaining variance in family functioning and satisfaction with family life. Findings provide implications for urban Russian families, scholars, professionals, and policy makers.

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of leisure among women in the developing East African nation of Uganda. In this study, I evaluated the leisure experiences of 38 Ugandan women of various backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses through semi-structured interviews. I analyzed the data using the constant comparative method. Themes for the meaning of leisure include fortifying leisure, enjoyment, and rest and relaxation. Results point to free choice as the core variable. Finally, I discuss the implications and suggestions for future research.

No description available.

This study examines the casual leisure activities of older adults and their potential to create flow experiences. Using a qualitative approach, the study found that participants often choose leisure activities based on the perceived enjoyment and potential benefits; maintaining physical and mental health, altruism, or maintaining relationships with friends and family. Analysis revealed that flow-like experiences were facilitated by participants’ purposeful choices and focusing their attention on the immediate task. If participants do not achieve flow, their leisure activities were chosen to contribute positively to their well-being and quality of life.

No / Surprisingly, the field of leisure economics is not, thus far, a particularly integrated or coherent one. In this Handbook a wide ranging body of international scholars get to grips with the core issues, taking in the traditional income/leisure choice model of textbook microeconomics and Becker’s allocation of time model along the way. They expertly apply economics to some usually neglected topics, such as boredom and sleeping, work–life balance, dating, tourism, health and fitness, sport, video games, social networking, music festivals and sex. Contributions from further afield by Veblen, Sctivosky and Bourdieu also feature prominently.