An exploratory study of college students' perceptions of freedom in leisure and shyness

Abstract

Social and psychological variables have been suggested as the most significant constraints on the leisure experience. Researchers have identified shyness as one of these social and psychological leisure constraints. An examination of the characteristics of shyness (lack of social confidence, lack of cognitive control, and cognitive distractions) and the subcomponents of perceived freedom in leisure (perceived leisure competence, perceived leisure control, leisure needs, depth of leisure involvement, and playfulness) suggests that shyness may be negatively related to experiencing leisure. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between shyness and perceived freedom in leisure. An available sample of university students completed the Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale and Leisure Diagnostic Battery (Version A, Section 1). Results indicated significant negative correlations between shyness and perceived freedom in leisure and each of its subcomponents. Multiple regression analysis indicated that only the subcomponents of playfulness and perceived leisure competence significantly predicted shyness.

Keywords:

• Shyness
• perceived freedom
• perceived competence
• perceived control
• depth of involvement
• playfulness
• leisure needs