Recreational sport participation and migrants' acculturation

Abstract

The current research examines whether migrants' recreational sport participation (RSP) and recreational sport function (RSF) can be considered as indicators of assimilation or integration as outcomes of acculturation. Both RSP and RSF are considered along with the traditional indicators of language, food preference, media use and ethnic identity. A multiattribute survey instrument was distributed to 179 migrants from 12 Asian countries, living in Southeast Queensland. Based on confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis, the paper suggests that RSF should be included as an indicator of migrants' assimilation along with the traditional indicators. Recommendations for both public and private sectors are provided, extending the Australian Government's multiculturalism policies to the migrants' recreational sports arena. Directions for future research are also provided.

Keywords:

• acculturation
• recreation
• migrants
• sport
• policy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This research was supported by a Griffith Business School grant.