Leisure interests and orientations toward solitude among adults in three residential settings
Spencer, Ray Carlos
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/23033
Description
Title
Leisure interests and orientations toward solitude among adults in three residential settings
Author(s)
Spencer, Ray Carlos
Issue Date
1989
Department of Study
Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Discipline
Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Recreation
Language
eng
Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine leisure preferences and choices in relation to residential location and desire for solitude. Specifically, the extent to which solitude is a distinguishing factor in the leisure of adults in urban and rural settings was analyzed.
Method. Subjects for the research were randomly selected from urban, small town, and country areas of Champaign County in Central Illinois. Survey items included measures of leisure activity frequency and importance, general orientations toward solitude, and several demographic factors. The study utilized a self-report survey for gathering data on 318 adults.
Findings. Age of respondents ranged from 16 to 82 and 44 percent were males while 56 percent were females. Most of the respondents (63 percent) were married while 25 percent had never married. Significant findings were limited to two subscales of the overall solitude preference measure on which the rural group had significantly lower scores than the urban and small town groups for solitude preference and for the value placed on anonymity. Also, the result of the analysis of social leisure participation and importance and solitude preference indicated that those desiring solitude placed a lower value on social leisure. However, those preferring solitude did not display a corresponding lack of involvement in social activities. The analysis of social leisure activities and several demographic variables showed that social leisure frequency and importance were differentiated by age, household size, and employment status. Results of an analysis of the frequency and importance of participation in solitary activities indicated that five activities, including reading for pleasure, doing hobbies at home, just doing nothing, gardening or raising plants, and building things at home, were done alone by over half of the respondents who said they participated in the activities.
Conclusions. Findings indicated that areas of varying population density did not exhibit significantly different patterns in the breadth and intensity of leisure involvement. Results offered support for a homogenization theory of culture and a lack of urban and rural differences.
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