Beyond Non-Participation: Validation of Interest and Frequency of Participation Categories in Constraints Research

Abstract

Research on constraints to recreation participation has accumulated over the past decade, including empirical analyses of constraints and the construction of theoretical models to aid in conceptualizing and explaining variations in participation and non-participation. However, categories as generic and heterogeneous as participant or non-participant have limited our ability to identify and explain how groups differ. This paper presents a model in which the category “non-participant” is sub-divided based on the presence or absence of interest in and previous experience with the activity. Further, the category “participant” is sub-divided by frequency of participation and interest or lack of interest in additional participation. Efficacy of these subcategories is demonstrated with empirical data from a study of constraints to hunting participation in Virginia.

KEYWORDS:

• Recreation Participation
• Recreation Non-participation
• Participation Frequency
• Interest
• Barriers
• Constraints
• Hunting