...exploration through factor analysis revealed factor structures similar to past research.

**********

Counselors and researchers alike have long known the importance of leisure in assisting clients during their transition from work to retirement, and, as population of baby boomers begins to leave work, leisure assessment has taken on added significance. However, a recent study (Iwasaki, 2003) has extended the knowledge about leisure activities to show how they may aid another important population. As college students today are faced with increasing academic pressures, research is demonstrating the role of leisure as an important tool for this age group to effectively cope with stress. In addition, the selection of constructive leisure pursuits, as opposed to the sometimes risky or counterproductive outlets often available to college students, can have a multitude of positive effects. Students themselves have acknowledged the advantages of leisure activities, which include helping to maintain a healthy psychological and emotional balance as well as facilitating personal development (Omran, 1999). Research has also identified a positive association between leisure experiences and the career development of college students (Munson & Savickas, 1998). With this information in mind, the identification of satisfying, constructive leisure pursuits is clearly an important endeavor.

Much of the literature in this domain has examined leisure interests' relationship to needs and vocational interests (Tinsley & Eldridge, 1995). To this point, little attention has been paid to the relationship between leisure interests and personality. The present study sought to identify the relationships between leisure interests measured with the Leisure Interest Questionnaire (LIQ; Hansen, 1991) and the Big 5 personality traits measured with the NEO (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness) Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1985), as well as mood states measured with the Profile of Mood States (POMS; McNair, Lorr, & Droppleman, 1971) and affect measured with the Positive and Negative Affect Scale-Expanded Form (PANAS-X; Watson & Clark, 1994). Consistent with previous research showing the importance of leisure on the development of young people (Kleiber & Kelly, 1980; Super, 1986), the present study used a sample population of college students.

INTERESTS AND PERSONALITY

A number of studies have described the overlap between vocational interests and personality. In one of the first studies to examine the relationships between Holland's model of six interest types--Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC)--and the personality traits of Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness (Costa, McCrae, & Holland, 1984; Holland, 1985), substantial correlations between the constructs were identified. Specifically, Extraversion correlated significantly with Enterprising (.51 for women, .65 for men) and Social (.43 for women, .50 for men); Openness correlated significantly with Artistic (.53 for women, .49 for men) and Investigative (.40 for women, .33 for men). There were no systematic relationships for either of Holland's Realistic or Conventional interest types or for Neuroticism. Later, Tokar, Fischer, and Subich (1998) identified a similar pattern of relations across a number of studies. There were generally substantial correlations across studies between Big Five Extraversion and the Enterprising and Social Holland types (Holland, 1985). There were also moderate correlations between Big Five Openness and Holland types Artistic and Investigative, Big Five Agreeableness and Holland's Social type, and Big Five Conscientiousness and the Conventional Holland type.

Most research has studied personality and vocational interests, but a small number of studies have examined the relationship between personality and leisure participation. For example, using H. J. Eysenck's three-dimensional model of personality, participation in sporting activities was found to be related positively to extraversion and negatively to neuroticism (H. J. Eysenck, Nias, & Cox, 1982). Similarly, Courneya and Hellsten (1998) found exercise behavior to be negatively related to neuroticism and positively related to extraversion as well as conscientiousness. The positive relationship between extraversion and sport and exercise activity has been further evidenced in research (e.g., Hills & Argyle, 1998; Sale, Guppy, & El-Sayed, 2000). A study by S. B. G. Eysenck and Zuckerman (1978) also found extraversion to be correlated positively to experience-seeking activities, although neuroticism was uncorrelated, and Kirkcaldy and Furnham (1990) concluded from the literature that "extraversion appears more influential in differentiating recreational interest preferences than neuroticism" (p. 48).

In addition to information on the relationship between vocational interests and leisure participation and personality, the study of Hansen and Scullard (2002) suggested linkages between leisure interests and personality. Using the LIQ (Hansen, 1991) scales and Strong Interest Inventory (SII; Hansen & Campbell, 1985) to measure leisure interests and vocational interests, respectively, they found significant correlations between the two types of interests. Positive correlations included LIQ Building & Restoring with SII Mechanical Activities (.79), LIQ Cultural Arts with SII Music/Dramatics (.79), and LIQ Team Sports with SII Athletics (.79). Significant negative correlations included LIQ Cultural Activities and SII Athletics (-.27), LIQ Hunting & Fishing and SII Art (-.22), and LIQ Team Sports with SII Writing (-.22). Hansen and Scullard (2002) also conducted an exploratory unweighted least squares factor analysis of the LIQ Scales that revealed a four-factor solution. They interpreted the factors as Artistic/Intellectual, Competitive/Analytical/Physical Activities, Social/Indulgent, and Rugged Outdoor Activities. In addition, they conducted a multidimensional scaling analysis of the LIQ scales. Two dimensions emerged: Dimension 1 seemed to represent an expressive/instrumental dimension, Dimension 2 appeared to reflect an active/sedentary dimension.

On the basis of the known relationships between vocational and leisure interests and the research on personality and vocational interests and leisure participation, we hypothesized that scales that are conceptually connected will predict leisure interests. Specifically, we hypothesized that Extraversion would positively...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development
Structure and measurement of acculturation/enculturation for Asian Ame..., April 01, 2006

Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.