The Influence of Acculturation on Perception of Leisure Constraints of Chinese Immigrants

Abstract

This study examined the contributions of acculturation to the perception of leisure constraints of Chinese immigrants. Questionnaires were completed by 127 Chinese immigrants in Australia aged from 18 to 72 years. Perceived leisure constraints were measured by six constraint factors—social-cultural constraints, interpersonal constraints, access constraints, affective constraints, physiological constraints, and resources constraints (Tsai & Coleman, 1999). Acculturation was measured using three indices, which evaluated English proficiency, language use, and cultural orientation. Indicators of level of education and financial status were also included. The findings of the study suggested that less acculturated immigrants were more susceptible to social-cultural constraints, access constraints, and interpersonal constraints, irrespective of their education level and financial status. The less marginal immigrants had a lower level of access constraints and affective constraints, irrespective of their acculturation level. However, a longer period of residence in the host country had not contributed to the reduction of any leisure constraints.

Keywords:

• acculturation
• assimilation
• Chinese
• ethnicity
• ethnic minorities
• immigrants
• leisure constraints
• marginality
• race