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.Keywords, longitudinal research, adult leisure, intra-individual change, inter-individual patterns.Résumé. Cet article discute l'utilisation de la recherche longitudinale en général ainsi qu'à son emploi spécifique par les chercheurs en loisir dans le contexte des comportements de loisir des adultes. Un aperçu des approches longitudinales est suivi par une brève revue des études utilisant des méthodes longitudinales pour examiner le loisir des adultes. Les problèmes et défis liés à l'application de cette approche méthodolo-

A community five years later

“…Many fields are rife with examples of cross-sectional research, in large part due to lack of reward for extended examination on one phenomenon (e.g., the constraints of the tenure and promotion system), as well as limited funding for, or interest in, ongoing studies (Pettigrew, 1990). While these constraints often cause researchers to hone their focus on moment-in-time endeavors, there has been criticism in the lack of investment in longitudinal research both outside the field of leisure studies (e.g., Ployhart & Vandenberg, 2010) and in it (e.g., Carpenter & Robertson, 1999). Therefore, this study adopted Gonzalez' (2000) longitudinal methodology.…”

Discretionary Time Over Time: A Longitudinal View of Adults’ Lives and Leisure

“…Historically leisure has been found to be a source of life meaning contributing to human development (e.g., Dumazadier, 1967;Kaplan, 1975;Kleiber, 1999;Parker, 1971;Neulinger, 1974;Roberts, 1970) and associated with a positive affect and lack of self-consciousness (Samdahl & Kleiber, 1999). It is logical to assume that valuing leisure would be related to midlife changes and transitions (Carpenter & Robertson, 2000), and to changing perceptions of life structure as described by Levinson and colleagues and perceptions of time scarcity.…”

Continuity and Change in Values in Midlife: Testing the Age Stability Hypothesis

“…Data used in this study came from A Study of Leisure During Adulthood (ASOLDA), a longitudinal study that began in 1987 and continued every year until 1996. ASOLDA was designed to examine change and continuity of leisure, life perceptions, and values in the lives of middle-aged adults over time (Carpenter, 1997;Carpenter & Robertson, 2000). A 13page questionnaire, discussed at length elsewhere (Carpenter, 1992), was used annually.…”