The Influence of Social Network Ties on Recreation and Leisure: An Exploratory Study

Social structural analyses of recreation and leisure experiences have traditionally focused on the influence of small, bounded activity groups, ignoring the extended personal and social networks in which these groups are enmeshed. This paper describes a rationale and process for social structural research using social network analysis. Data from an exploratory study analyzing leisure behaviors as the outcome of affective social relationships linked in structural network patterns are presented. Results suggest that network relationships both facilitate and also constrain the social behaviors of leisure. Analyzing patterns of relationships within network contexts has implications for better understanding leisure choices and involvements.