Gaylene Carpenter

Participation in leisure activities after the death of a spouse

Abstract The main purpose of this exploratory study was to establish whether frequent participation in leisure activities helped widows and widowers adapt to widowhood. The study also examined whether more frequent participation in leisure activities by widows and widowers helped them maintain higher morale. A small sample of 60 recently bereaved widows and widowers who were living independently in a state capital in Australia was selected for the study. Each widow or widower was interviewed and provided responses to three scales measuring participation in leisure activities, adaptation to widowhood, and morale. Quantitative and qualitative research techniques were used to interpret the data. The leisure activities most frequently participated in by widows and widowers were found to be home‐based activities and mainly involved social activities with family and friends. Greater participation in leisure activities, especially with family and friends, was found to be significantly related to increased morale...

The adventure experience paradigm and non-outdoor leisure pursuits

This paper considers the applicability of the Adventure Experience Paradigm (Martin and Priest, 1986) in non-outdoor leisure pursuits. This paradigm was conceived in relationship to outdoor adventure leisure pursuits and, to date, has only been discussed in these terms. In this paper, the paradigm is first presented and clarified within the context that it was created; adventure experience. It is then applied to non-outdoor adult leisure settings and experiences. In presenting the paradigm and discussing examples related to both outdoor and non-outdoor leisure pursuits and settings, the authors suggest that a broader interpretation and application of the paradigm to the leisure experience is possible.

The Role of Life Experiences on Perceptions of Leisure During Adulthood: A Longitudinal Analysis

This study examined the life experiences of adults and their effect on perceptions of leisure. Data for this study came from A Study of Leisure during Adulthood (ASOLDA), a 10-year study of the values, attitudes, and perceived freedom in leisure of 84 adults. Individual growth curve modeling was used to explore patterns and change within leisure domains for the sample. Life structure predicted adults’ perceived freedom in leisure while life events were predictive of adults’ leisure attitudes. Data from interviews were used to supplement the survey data to provide a better understanding of the predictors of leisure perceptions in this study.

Adult Perceptions of Leisure: Life Experiences and Life Structure

Abstract This study examined two questions. First, to what extent did middle aged adults value leisure and perceive freedom in leisure? Second, what was the relationship between valuing leisure, perceived freedom in leisure, and actual life experiences and perceptions of life structure during middle adulthood? Male and female adults between ages 30 and 60 (N = 304) participated in the study by completing a questionnaire packet which contained the following instruments: The Life Structure Assessment, The Life Experiences Survey, The Leisure Ethic Scale, and The Perceived Freedom in Leisure Scale. Respondents tended to value leisure and to perceive freedom in leisure. Findings revealed that perceived freedom in leisure (but not valuing leisure) was associated with both life experiences and perceptions of life structure.

The Leisure Perceptions and Leisure Meanings of a Mid-Life Couple Around the Time of Retirement

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine how positive perceptions about leisure help people to adjust to the transition between work and retirement. In particular, do perceptions about work, family, or leisure shift during the time when people are working to when they move into retirement? Secondly, do positive perceptions about leisure help people adjust better to retirement? In order to examine these variables over time, longitudinal data was collected between 1987 and 1996 from a wider study entitled “A Study of Leisure During Adulthood,” and a case study design was used to explore the leisure perceptions and leisure meanings of a married couple, Betsy and Ed over a 10-year period around the time of their retirement. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected to examine the research questions that related to attitudes toward leisure, work, family and retirement. Results showed that both Ed and Betsy consistently scored very high scores on both the leisure attitude and perceived freedom in leisure scales. They also ranked leisure higher than work every year of the study, and indicated that they enjoyed participating in leisure and saw its importance in achieving an optimal leisure lifestyle. As a result they achieved a smoother and more successful transition into retirement.

A call for the increased use of longitudinal methods in research on adult leisure.

Abstract This paper discusses the use of longitudinal research in general and specifically as it is used in leisure research regarding adult leisure behaviour. An overview of longitudinal approaches is followed by a brief review of studies that used longitudinal methods to examine adult leisure. Issues and challenges related to applying this methodological approach in a study of adult leisure that used consistent and frequent points of data collection is presented. The value of longitudinal approaches in identifying intra‐individual change, instead of the more prevalent cross‐sectional approaches used in leisure research which examine inter‐individual patterns, is a common theme discussed throughout the paper. Applications for parks and recreation practitioners are discussed.

By the Decade: An Exploration of the Leisure Perceptions and Preferences of Mid-Life Married Couples

Abstract The purpose of the study described in this paper was to explore the leisure and life perceptions and preferences of mid-life married couples over time. Study participants represented two age-groups (44–54 and 59–69 years), but with similar socio-demographic characteristics and socio-historic experiences. Longitudinal data were analysed for evidence of change or stability in leisure attitudes and preferences over the course of a decade. Though the data revealed some variation in leisure perceptions and preferences, the study participants’ responses demonstrated more stability than change, regardless of their age group. Differences noted suggest that certain social role responsibilities may have influenced leisure and life perceptions and preferences for the two age groups.

Leisure and Life Perceptions of a Mid-Life Woman Experiencing An Epiphany Associated with Family

Abstract This case study examined the leisure and life perceptions of a middle-aged woman experiencing an epiphany related to family. During the time that Connie (pseudonym) was a participant in a longitudinal study about leisure and life perceptions during middle adulthood, she had an existentially problematic experience (an epiphany) in her life. Her adult twin daughters, given up at birth, unexpectedly re-entered her life twenty-two years later. This study examined change and stability in Connies leisure attitude, valuing leisure, perceived freedom in leisure, life structure, wants-out-of-life, and ranking family, work, and leisure before and after the epiphany. Three sources of data (longitudinal data, self-report interview data, and tape-recorded responses about the epiphany) were analyzed. Results showed stability in perceptions related to leisure attitude, values, perceived freedom, the importance of family, and change in her perceptions of life structure, wants-out-of-life, and leisure behavior. The study also suggested that positive leisure perceptions may be influential in forming new family structures.

Continuity and change in values in midlife: testing the age stability hypothesis.

Background/Study Context: The “age stability” hypothesis suggests that adults have significant continuities in values over time, whereas the “situational influence” hypothesis suggests that change continues, especially in response to new events and experiences. Deeply ingrained, terminal values may be more stable than other, more instrumental, values. Less research examines changing values than examines changing personality traits and attitudes. Methods: Hypotheses were tested with data from A Study of Leisure During Adulthood (ASOLDA), a 9-year panel study of middle-aged adults (average age of 45 at the beginning of data collection). Mixed-model regressions and descriptive statistics were used to examine changes and stability over time in global values, measured by the List of Values (LOV), and instrumental values related to leisure. Results: Significant correlations were found in both terminal and instrumental values over time (autocorrelations ranging from .13 to .23). There was no linear or curvilinear pattern of change over time. Respondents reported a wide range of positive and negative life events and variations over time in reflections on their life structure, but these variations were unrelated to changes in values. Conclusion: Results support the age stability hypothesis, rather than the situational influence hypothesis, with similar results for both terminal and instrumental values. It is suggested that the consistent values of respondents may have helped them weather the wide range of often-difficult circumstances many reported experiencing. Future research should examine this hypothesis.

When time does not matter: perceiving and living a mid-life not bound by linear time.

Abstract This case study examines the leisure and life perceptions of a man who, at mid-life, consciously disengaged from living the predominant linear life pattern, choosing instead to live a non-traditional life pattern. David (pseudonym) was a participant in longevity research on middle-aged adults regarding their leisure and life perceptions. Sources of data included: 10 consecutive years of his perceptions of leisure attitude, valuing leisure, perceived freedom in leisure, time for leisure, life experiences, adult life structure, and wants out of life; transcripts obtained from his structured interview; and his online writings. Results indicated that David held positive perceptions regarding leisure and his life experiences while living in a non-traditional manner. Living a life that he called a life of freedom with responsibility meant that he was free to spend his time the way he wanted while demonstrating through his life choices that non-consumption, stewardship, and reverence for community and relationships were valued.