Conceptions of self, time, and space : a study of participation in leisure activities

Vita.A positive relationship between mental health and participation in leisure activities is a frequently encountered assumption in the leisure literature. Little empirical evidence, however, presently exists to document this assumption. This study is a preliminary descriptive investigation of one component of mental health, identity, tested against participation in 39 selected leisure activities. Identity is developed from a phenomenological perspective and defined as the result of continued interaction among three integrative components: self, time, and space. These three component parts of identity are integrated into contemporaneous patterns of individual action and meaning as a continuous reflexive process, where symbolic meaning is individually established, maintained, and adjusted in the presence of others and in the presence of one's self. Three groups of variables were examined for their utility in describing leisure participation: self, time, and space variables; dimensions of participation (frequency, duration, initiation age) variables; and sociological and socio-economic variables. Dimensions of place (indoor; indoor/outdoor; outdoor) were additionally examined. Each group of variables was adapted from psychological, sociological, or leisure literature. Two data sets were gathered in a medium-sized (approximately 100,000) metropolitan area in Texas. The study population was comprised of adults (18 years of age and over). From this population, two samples were drawn. One sample consisted of a household survey (N = 149) using stratified random sample techniques. The other sample was comprised of community education class participants (N = 141) using purposive sampling techniques. Respondents in both samples were administered a survey questionnaire. The first part of this questionnaire relied upon projective tests to measure self, time, and space variables. The second part of the questionnaire measured frequency, duration, and initiation age dimensions of participation in 39 leisure activities. The last part of the questionnaire measured socio-economic and sociological characteristics of respondents. ..