Motivation, Satisfaction, and Perceived Freedom: A Tri-Dimensional Model of Leisure Among Young Offenders

• NCJ Number: 203585
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: 2003 Pages: 53-64
• Author(s): Michelle M. Munchua; Deanna M. Lesage; John R. Reddon; Tania D. Badham
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationships among leisure motivation, leisure satisfaction, and perceived freedom in leisure in a sample of young male offenders receiving in-patient psychiatric treatment.

Abstract

Previous research has found that certain leisure variables, such as type of activity, time spent in leisure pursuits, and intrinsic satisfaction, distinguishes delinquent youth from other adolescents. Juveniles at risk for high-risk and offending behavior tend to pursue more passive leisure activities such as television watching, which have been found to be less conducive for psychosocial development. Similarly, young offenders and high school students differ widely in how they allocate their leisure time, with high school students spending more time participating in educational and labor-force activities. In an effort to extend this research on the relationship between leisure and delinquent behavior, the authors administered the Leisure Motivation Scale (LMS) to 84 young male offenders incarcerated in an in-patient psychiatric facility, the Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS) to 66 of these participants, and the Perceived Freedom in Leisure Scale-Short Form Version A (PFS) to 36 of these participants. All participants completed the inventories during the third week following admission as part of the pre-treatment assessment. Results of statistical analyses indicate that the LMS and LSS scales were positively correlated. All but 2 of the 24 correlations were statistically significant. Correlations between PFS with both the LMS and LSS indicate that a lack of freedom in leisure can interfere with leisure motivation, as well as satisfaction. The findings reveal that delinquency prevention and treatment should incorporate supervised, structured, and satisfying leisure programming that meet adolescents’ leisure needs. In order to provide appropriate treatment, future research on the factors that underlie leisure choices and participation is essential. Tables, references