Analysis of the factors preventing high school students from participating in recreational activities

Abstract

This study aims to examine the factors preventing high school students from participating in recreational activities. The study was conducted on 300 students, 150 female (average age; 15,66±1,01) and 150 male (average age; 16,31±1,29), attending high school during 2019-2020 academic year. As data collection tool, "Leisure Constraints Questionnaire (LCQ)" which was developed by Alexandris and Carroll (1997), adapted into Turkish by Gürbüz and Karaküçük (2007), tested for construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis by Gürbüz, Emir, and Oncü (2012) and which included 6 sub-dimensions and 18 items, was used in the study. Significant association was found between knowledge sub-dimension of Leisure Constraints Questionnaire (LCQ) and high school students' states of doing sport and sport branch (p<0,05). Significant association was found between facilities sub-dimension and elder sibling and younger sibling (p<0.05). However, no significant association was found between gender and Leisure Constraints Questionnaire sub-dimensions (p>0.05). There are no big differences in the factors that affect high school students' participation in recreational activities. Social and cultural areas that can meet the needs of young people and the number of green areas, playgrounds and recreational areas where they can show their physical performance should be increased and participation of young people in these activities should be encouraged so that young generations can grow up healthily and acquire the necessary behaviors for healthy life. Provincial and town municipalities should also diversify and increase recreational areas so that the society can benefit more. © 2020 by the authors.