Exploring the Relationships Across Recreation Specialization, Leisure Satisfaction, and Happiness

The Case of Korean Hikers

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6441399
AutoresJaehyun Kim (0009-0001-4857-085X, East Carolina University), Jae Hyun Kim (0000-0002-0203-7443, East Carolina University), Yujin Lee (0000-0002-3701-3089, University of Seoul), Namyun Kil (0000-0001-8109-6873, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse), Nick A D Pitas (0000-0002-2194-9640, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), Sunhwan Hwang (University of Seoul, autor correspondente)
Ano2023
Volume47
Fascículo6
Páginas1179-1197
Data de publicação2023-04-11
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoLeisure Sciences (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0149-0400 • E-ISSN: 1521-0588
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01490400.2023.2197901
OpenAlexW4364362162
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas53

Prior studies have challenged the notion that recreationists progress along the specialization continuum over time. Using a sample of 443 Korean hikers, this study aimed to determine whether the relationship of specialization to leisure involvement, leisure satisfaction, and happiness is linear or curvilinear. Further, we examined the potential moderating effect of specialization on the relationship between leisure satisfaction and happiness. Results indicated that hikers showed greater specialization as their behavioral involvement increased to a certain point, beyond which specialization decreased. There were also inverted U-shape curvilinear relationships of specialization to levels of leisure satisfaction and happiness. Moreover, there was a significant moderating effect of specialization on the relationship between leisure satisfaction and happiness. Our findings provide deeper insights into the relationship between specialization, leisure satisfaction, and happiness among hikers. Furthermore, managerial implications for public leisure agencies to improve leisure satisfaction and psychological well-being of hikers were discussed

Happiness · Leisure satisfaction · Political science · Recreation · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Social Psychology · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts