Understanding the motivations of serious leisure participation: a self-determination approach

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between serious leisure (SL) and quality of motivation, in line with self-determination theory (SDT). The SL perspective was used to describe rock climbers’ commitment, identity development, and rewards gained from their serious pursuits. SDT was used to examine how motivations with various level of self-determination facilitated or hindered SL. Identified motivation was positively associated with commitment, identity development, and personal rewards. Intrinsic motivation was positively associated with personal and social rewards. Introjected motivation had mixed relations to SL. This study strengthened the motivational aspects of the SL perspective, tested the latent constructs of SL, and supported the findings of recent SL studies incorporating SDT.

KEYWORDS:

• Serious leisure
• motivation
• self-determination theory
• rock climbing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

KoFan Lee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Recreation Administration, University of Mississippi, United States.

Alan Ewert, PhD., Professor and Endowed Chair, Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States.