A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Canadian and Mainland Chinese University Students' Leisure Motivations

Abstract

This study examined the reliability and explanatory ability of a modified version of Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory as it applied to Canadian (n = 170) and Mainland Chinese (n = 229) university students' leisure motivations and determined whether these leisure motivations differed between the two cultural groups. An on-site questionnaire composed of seven motivational scales was developed. Alpha coefficients, confirmatory factor analyses, and scale intercorrelation comparisons supported self-determination theory's cross-cultural applicability. Profile analyses indicated as hypothesized that: (a) Canadian students were significantly more identified, introjected reward, and introjected punishment motivated than were Chinese students; and (b) Chinese and Canadian students were not significantly different in their intrinsic, integrated, external reward, and external punishment motivations. Findings are discussed in regard to leisure's universality.

Keywords:

• culture
• leisure
• motivation
• self-determination theory
• universality

Acknowledgements

Preparation of this article was supported by a grant to the first author from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. We would like to thank the Associate Editor and two reviewers for their thorough and thoughtful comments.

Notes

∗ p < .01.

∗ p < .05, one-tailed.

∗∗ p < .01, one-tailed.