The Influence of Others as a Barrier to Recreation Participation Among Early Adolescents

This study examined the perceptions held by early adolescents of the influence of social agents (parents, significant other adults, peers) on early adolescents' decisions not to join organized recreation activities of interest or to cease participation in organized activities. The subjects were 940 fifth through eighth graders in Maricopa County (Phoenix metropolitan area), Arizona. Results indicated that parental influence was perceived to be greater than that of other agents in the decision not to join an activity, while perceptions about significant other adults were more influential in one's decision to drop out of activities. Theoretical implications are discussed for linking leisure and perceived constraints to recreation participation during early adolescence.