Leisure Constraints: A Replication and Extension of Construct Development

This research replicates and extends previous work on leisure-constraints construct development by applying constraints data from a sample of adults with mental retardation. Factor analysis extends definitions for three constraint categories (intrapersonal, interpersonal, structural), confirming the nonhomogeneous nature of leisure constraints. Interpersonal constraints, for example, may have multiple meanings depending upon where one is situated along the continuum from dependence to interdependence to independence. Model testing fails to replicate the hypothesized hierarchy among the three constraint categories. Intrapersonal constraints may not be salient reasons for nonparticipation in leisure interests, whereas structural and interpersonal constraints appear to be in need of negotiation. The findings support the need to refine the propositions associated with the proposed hierarchical model of leisure constraints.