Exploring Progression along the Recreation Specialization Continuum Using a Latent Growth Approach

Abstract

In recreation specialization the idea of progression largely has been relegated to an assumption. Fundamental questions about how leisure participants enter and progress through social subworlds remain. We examined panel data over a six-year period to look for evidence of progression among Texas anglers. Similar to previous studies, we were unable to detect forward movement along the specialization continuum. Results revealed strong individual differences in each subdimension of the developmental process. Our study adds to this literature by treating specialization in terms of its underlying subdimensions and by demonstrating latent growth modeling as a viable alternative to repeated measure analyses.

An Examination of Whitewater Boaters’ Place Attachment and Specialization in Four Different River Settings

“…Intermediate and advanced boaters had higher ratings on the dimensions of skill level and personal commitment than casual paddlers. Skill level and personal commitment were positively related with place identity in the case of anglers and whitewater boaters (Bricker and Kerstetter 2000; Oh et al 2010, 2012). It seems that UD and LY boaters, with higher commitment, gradually develop preferred identities to places (Oh et al 2012).…”

“…We were able to explain our results with differences based on the specialization dimensions treated as a multidimensional construct (McIntyre and Pigram 1992). Skill level and personal commitment influenced place identity (Oh et al 2010, 2012), whereas frequency of participation (Eder and Arnberger 2012; Smaldone et al 2005) was an indicator of place dependence.…”

Beyond Progression in Specialization Research: Leisure Capital and Participation Change

“…These dynamic tensions can motivate leisure investments that sometimes generate a "spiraling up" process of increased activity participation, sometimes a "spiraling down" process of declining participation, or other times a redeployment for participation in different activities. Moreover, change is not necessarily uniform across different specialization indicators (Kuentzel & McDonald, 1992;Oh et al, 2011). A framework based on leisure capital that focuses on the process of leisure investments offers a more comprehensive way to understand why many people may not specialize in leisure activities over time.…”

“…They showed a modest effect of life course changes where only family support and retirement contributed to progression. Using latent growth modeling, Oh, Sorice, and Ditton (2011) found little evidence of progression among anglers. Instead, they found differing patterns of change among individuals on each of the specialization dimensions.…”

Recreational specialization and ecologically responsible behaviour of Chinese birdwatchers in Hong Kong

“…The term 'recreational specialization' was first defined by Bryan as 'a continuum of behaviour from the general to the particular, reflected by equipment and skills used in the sport and activity setting preferences' in a study of fishermen with different levels of specialization (Bryan, 1977, p.174). Recreational specialization develops through a series of stages of increasing involvement over time (Backlund & Kuentzel, 2013;Oh, Sorice, & Ditton, 2010). Long-term participation in a leisure activity tends to increase an individual's specialization, which is reflected in their skill level, equipment choices, and proficiency.…”