Patterns of Behavioral Characteristics as Indicants of Recreation Preferences: A Canonical Analysis

Abstract

This study investigated multiple relationships between patterns of recreation participation and patterns of participant characteristics using a canonical-correlation approach. Based on a sample of 387 adult males, the analysis extracted seven significant roots. These roots related outdoor and indoor, passive and active activities to demographics, self-concept variables, social-psychological measures of interpersonal orientation, and a set of nonrecreational activities, interests, and opinions. In abbreviated form, basic activity patterns portrayed by this analysis were: (a) strenuous and/or sociable activities appealing to robust, younger participants; (b) relatively sedentary, culturally broadening pursuits for indulgent persons; (c) passive recreational alternatives associated with individuals of higher social class; (d) varied and less vigorous activities for persons seeing themselves as fragile; (e) skiing interests appealing to those with rather carefree, solitary lifestyles; (f) water-related and hobby pursuits linked to an easy-going lifestyle; and (g) physical-fitness related to innovativeness and nimbleness.