Julie S. Son

Testing Alternative Leisure Constraint Negotiation Models: An Extension of Hubbard and Mannell's Study

The purpose of this study was to test a model of the leisure constraint negotiation process proposed by Hubbard and Mannell. A multidimensional measure of physically active leisure was used to extend their findings to a sample of middle-aged and older adults in a metropolitan park setting. Volunteers and visitors (aged 50–87 years) of a Midwestern metropolitan park agency completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results of a two-step structural equation modeling procedure suggested a constraint-negotiation dual channel model. In this model, the negative influence of constraints on participation was almost entirely offset by the positive effect of negotiation strategies. The effect of motivation on participation was fully mediated by negotiation. The implications of these findings for studying constraint negotiation and active leisure in mid- to late-life are discussed.

Do age and gender matter in the constraint negotiation of physically active leisure

Abstract Our purpose in this study was to examine the relationships between age, gender, leisure constraint, leisure constraint negotiation, motivation, and physically active leisure for 271 older (50+) volunteers and visitors of a Midwestern metropolitan park agency. The primary objectives were: 1) to assess the relationship of age and gender to leisure constraint; 2) to examine the relative importance of all factors to active leisure participation; 3) to test negotiation as a mediator of the relationships of constraint and motivation to participation; and 4) to determine whether these relationships differed by frequency and duration. The inclusion of age, gender and multiple measures of physically active leisure revealed distinct relationships. The implications of these findings for park-based programs and settings for active leisure in mid to late life are discussed.

Functional support associated with belonging to the Red Hat Society®, a leisure-based social network.

Abstract Researchers have addressed the structure of leisure-based social networks but have given little attention to their functional outcomes, especially among older women. A leisure-based social network popular among older women but little studied is the Red Hat Society®. Thus, we chose to address how older women describe the functional support they receive from one leisure-based social network, the Red Hat Society®. Data were gathered from more than 4,000 members. The findings indicated that functional support is multidimensional (e.g., spending time with friends, attention from others) and with few exceptions, positive. In addition, the functional support is primarily emotional and social in nature rather than informational and financial, as has previously been reported in social networks research.

Living With Arthritis: Using Self-Management of Valued Activities to Promote Health

In this article, we explore how adults with arthritis use self-care strategies in their valued leisure activities, and variations in use based on their access to environmental resources. We conducted six focus groups (N = 34) with adults aged 55 and older with a diagnosis of arthritis. Adults living in residential communities were recruited, with 31% of the sample residing in subsidized housing. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using content analysis based on themes of selective optimization with compensation. We found some differences in strategy use between the resource-rich and resource-poor participants. Adults highlighted the value of their leisure activities and the importance of leisure in maintaining their health and well-being. Our findings point to the need to incorporate leisure education into interventions and programs targeting adults with arthritis.

An Integration of Constraints and Benefits Within an Older Women's Social Club: An Examination, Extension and Critique

The purpose of this study was to investigate and extend aspects of Crompton, Jackson, and Witts (2005) integrated model of constraints and benefits with a convenience sample of participants in the Red Hat Society® (N = 3,573), a social club for women aged 50 and older. In addition to constraints and benefits, model factors included motivations, attitudes, organization-based values, and sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, education, income, health). The extended model positing more pathways among factors was a better fit of the data and provided significant additional explanation of participation and realized benefits. Both gendered constraints and organization-based constraints contributed to the final model. The largest contributor to perceived benefits and participation was the value of dressing up. The investigators discuss the implications of these findings in relation to previous research and for the development of social leisure programs for middle-aged and older women in park and recreation settings.

Contributions of Leisure-Based Selective Optimization with Compensation and Leisure Activity Expenditure to the Health of Adults with Arthritis

Abstract Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions in mid to late life, and leisure may provide potential health benefits. The study aims were to establish the predictive utility of leisure activities and leisure-based selective optimization with compensation (L-SOC) in explaining arthritis-based health and to determine whether physically active leisure serves as a mediator of L-SOC and health. The study sample included 140 middle-aged and older adults with arthritis. A mediator model was not supported. Instead, L-SOC and leisure activity expenditures were significant independent predictors of arthritis-based health. Findings provide preliminary support for a measure of leisure-specific SOC and indicate that accumulating physical activity expenditures across diverse leisure activities is an important component of arthritis self-management.

Interactive social cognitive model of leisure-time physical activity in mid to late life.

OBJECTIVE To examine the interactive effects of exercise identity (EI) and outcome expectations (OE) on constraints, constraint self-regulation, and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). METHODS Surveyed a convenience sample of middle-aged and older adults (N = 271) at a metropolitan park agency in the Midwest. RESULTS The final reduced model predicted 24% of the variance in LTPA, including an indirect effect of EI x OE through intrapersonal constraints. CONCLUSION Results suggest that these social cognitive factors are useful in understanding low to high-intensity LTPA and have implications for LTPA programs for adults aged 50 and older.