Testing a Leisure Constraints Model in the Context of Asian International Students

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of a leisure constraints model within the context of Asian international students attending colleges in the U.S. Data were collected from a sample of 116 Asian international students attending a Midwestern university in the U.S. Eight (7 constraints and a dependant) factors were identified through EFA with a promax rotation. Construct validity of leisure constraints was confirmed with a CFA . Among the constraint factors, the Lack of Time found to be the most significant obstacle inhibiting Asian international students from participating in physical activity. Additionally, the results from SEM found that the constraint factors explained a significant amount of variance in the future non-intention in the physical activity participation. The results from the current study provide both theoretical and practical implication for scholars and practitioners as the study found a unique set of constraint factors applicable for Asian international students.

Leisure Constraints to Participation in Competitive Activities and Intramural Sports: Comparing International and Domestic Students

“…Validity of this instrument was based on 16 constraint questions, which was confirmed by a panel of scholars who have experience working with recreation and intramural sport participants (Author & Author, 2016;Park et al, 2015). Mainly, the insertion of 'intramural sport' was added to questions to narrow the participant's focus to a specific aspect of leisure.…”

“…However, few studies have compared campus recreation intramural sport program participation rates between domestic and international students to include alternative physical activity opportunities students may participate. Previous studies have utilized the hierarchical model on leisure constraints to examine collegiate students' leisure constraints based on participation in campus recreational sport programs (Guo & Ross, 2014;Park, Yoh, & Park, 2015;. The current study utilizes the hierarchical model of leisure constraints to determine whether significant participation differences exists in competitive activities (non-university affiliated) and intramural sport programs (university affiliated), and which leisure constraints (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural) affect participation between domestic and international students.…”

Qualitative Examination of International Graduate Students’ Experiences With Campus Recreation Services

“…Previous studies indicated that international students strongly perceived two constraints to participating in campus recreation services—(a) lack of time due to work, school, or family and (b) lack of information on campus recreation programs (Guo & Ross, 2014). Asian students who experience very high levels of academic pressure spend less time relaxing and socializing (Park et al, 2015). A recent study indicated that beside lack of time, the two most significant factors in preventing participation in campus recreation services among international students were lacking someone to work out with and being unaware of the recreation facilities (Nandini, 2017).…”

“…In that study, 23% of 155 total subjects were graduate students but no differences were explored between graduate and undergraduate students. Several previous studies (e.g., Milton & Patton, 2011; Nandini, 2017; Park et al, 2015) included international graduate students, but none of those studies examined graduate and undergraduate students separately.…”

“…New international graduate student enrollment has increased significantly (13%) since the 2013–2014 academic year (Institute of International Education, 2017). Despite the increasing numbers of international college students, a recent study indicated that their campus recreation participation rates are relatively low compared to domestic students at U.S. universities (Park et al, 2015; Yoh et al, 2008). Scholars indicated the following six challenges which may prevent international students from spending time participating in physical activity and using campus recreational services: “(a) communicating in a foreign language, (b) adjusting to a new university system, (c) establishing an identity in an unfamiliar culture, (d) dealing with financial worries, (e) being uprooted from familiar social support systems, and (f) feeling lonely” (Yoh et al, 2008, p. 1111).…”