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Guided by a social inequality perspective that combines Bourdieu's conception of socially shaped tastes and lifestyles with Peterson's notion of omnivorous consumption, this paper addresses the link between social inequality and participation in specific subfields of sport. Ten popular sports and adjacent activity subfields are analysed and compared. Based on representative data from Germany, the paper points out that participation in different fields of sport is socially structured, however to different degrees and in different ways. Almost all fields of sport appeal to individuals with above-average levels of cultural capital, whereas lower social classes dominate the group of inactive individuals. Football is least structured by cultural and economic capital, while racket sports, nature-related activities, yoga, fitness and water sports are socially most selective. Beyond social class, gender is also key for structuring participation. Finally, findings show that cultural capital is closely associated with multiple engagements in a broader range of different sports, thus buttressing the notion that omnivorous participation signifies a higher social status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germany's traditional health resorts and spas have undergone far reaching transformation processes, triggered mainly by health care system reforms that started in the 1990s and resulted in significant cuts to the public funding of traditional restorative 'Kur' treatments in these destinations. Consequently, there has been a significant shift towards Germany's so-called 'second health care market', which captures all privately funded health-related products and services. This paper provides an insight into these highly complex transformation processes using three Bavarian health resorts and spas (Bad Birnbach, Bad Füssing and Bad Griesbach) as case examples. Semi-structured interviews with experts from the three destinations offer insight into the structural transition towards the second health care market, including its manifold challenges and opportunities in an emerging health-leisure nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on topics discussed during the symposium "Tourism and Leisure Research in the New Millennium: Progress from the German- and English-speaking World," held at the University of Münster on September 2002. Organizers; Views on tourism and leisure from geographers in the past; Contributions of Dick Butler and Werner Kreisel in tourism and leisure.

This paper reports on an exploratory programme of research into the bilateral relations between German and Moroccan tourism businesses. Recently, Morocco embarked on an ambitious programme of tourism reform as part of a wider scheme of social and economic change. While greater contact between Moroccan and external businesses is desired, there is little understanding of how these relationships function and, hence, their ability to impact upon the outcomes of the reform programme. This paper employs concepts of inter-cultural contact, communication, competence and conflict resolution developed in linguistics and international management to explore the bilateral relationships between German and Moroccan businesses. Culture-free and culture-bound paradigms underpin different perceptions of inter-culturality for strategies for the management of inter-cultural contact. Empirical evidence suggests that there is a mismatch between the paradigms adopted by German and Moroccan businesses, respectively. This leads to conflict. Approaches and tactics for conflict resolution are similar on both sides. Tourism strategies that desire or require inter-cultural business contact should be informed by the approaches of international management among indigenous and external tourism businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical inactivity is one of the biggest health problems nowadays. Recent research shows that socio-cultural barriers to physical activity are mostly related to modern lifestyles. However, there is a lack of research on how social and group dynamics influence engagement in physical activity. Furthermore, there are few cross-cultural studies that have compared the social dynamics of (in)activity in different cultural settings. This paper therefore aims to analyse how social group dynamics influence physical activity and inactivity in informal social environments and whether physical activity is influenced by the socio-cultural settings.Methods: The paper presents the qualitative data collected within a covert participant observation study. Data was collected by keeping observational notes in order to record typical, regular patterns regarding physical (in)activity related behaviour of groups at an artificial open air swimming pool in Germany and a natural pond in Hawai'i. The data collection period was eight and a half months. Data was interpreted based on constant comparative analysis in order to identify most generative patterns in the field notes.Results: Group structures appear to play a significant role regarding the activity of the group members. In this study, we identified four key factors that influence group based physical activity: 1) Physical activity seems to be a group disturbing behaviour particularly in larger groups of adults; 2) Physical activity appears to be more functional and less joyful in adults than in children; 3) Group activity is influenced by (in)activity anchors, including 'domestication' of a group's site, obesity, and controlling parents. 4) Physical activity is to a certain extent socially contagious, particularly with regard to playful activities.Conclusions: Successful promotion of physical activity should target the social structures of inactive individuals' groups. In this regard, one of the main problems is that fun and wellbeing, as very important targets of public health strategies for the adult population, appear not to be compatible with physical activity. Developing strategies to reframe physical activity rather as 'fun' and less as functional may be one way to engage inactive individuals in physical activity in leisure settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caring for terminally ill patients with minor children can be very stressful. The perceived quality of life is significantly influenced by the Meaning in Life (MiL). No studies were found that focus on the prioritized special needs of this patient group. Objectives: The aim is to compare and contrast terminally ill parents with minor children and palliative care patients in Germany, in order to provide appropriate support beyond medical, nursing or therapeutic interventions. Methods: Terminally ill parents diagnosed were surveyed using a validated instrument 'Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation (SMiLE)'. The study listed various areas that contribute to the MiL, followed by an evaluation of their importance and satisfaction levels. The researchers then compared these findings with data collected from palliative care patients. Results: In Germany, 54 patients, mostly female and with a mean age of 43, were included in this study between February 2017 and September 2020. The median age of the 96 children during the survey phase was 7 years. The comparison group consists of 100 palliative care patients in Germany; mostly aged 50 years and older. For terminally ill patients most important areas were in decreasing order family (100%), social relations (80%), leisure time (61%), nature/animals (39%) and home/garden (30%). Although the overall indices are close between both groups, there are significant and highly correlated differences between them. Parents felt limited by their illness in being a mother or father, as they wanted to be. Conclusion: The involvement with SMiLE led patients to consider their coping resources. The areas relevant to terminally ill parents differed from those relevant to palliative care patients. All participants identified family as the most important factor for MiL. The results suggest that evaluating MiL can serve as a coping strategy and help terminally ill parents with minor children. Plain language summary: A comparison of answers to the meaning in life from seriously ill parents with young children with the answers of other seriously ill patients Background: Caring for seriously ill patients with young children can be very stressful. The quality of life depends on meaning in life. No studies were found that focus on the needs of this patients. Objectives: The aim was to explore similarities and differences between seriously ill parents with young children and palliative care patients in Germany to find the best way to support them. Methods: The Meaning in Life questions were used to find this out. Two researchers asked seriously ill parents about different things that make their lives meaningful. The researchers then compared the results with data from other seriously ill patients in need of palliative care. In Germany, 54 seriously ill parents with young children were interviewed between February 2017 and September 2020. The children were usually seven years old. The compared group consisted of 100 palliative care patients and was mostly older than 49 years. For seriously ill patients most important were family, social relations, leisure time, nature/animals, and home/garden. The values seemed similar, but there are clear differences between the groups. Parents felt their illness limited them in being a mother or a father. Conclusion: The questions helped patients helped to remember meaning in life and set goals. The things that mattered to seriously ill parents were different from those that mattered to palliative care patients. All participants said that family was the most important thing for meaning in life. The results show that thinking about meaning in life can help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using multi-week travel diary data from Germany, this study examines intrapersonal variability in leisure activity-travel behavior. In particular, it investigates whether individuals from one-worker households have greater intrapersonal variability in leisure activity-travel patterns than those from two-worker households. The paper examines differences in intrapersonal variability behaviors concerning trip frequency, activity duration, travel time and travel distance by comparing females from one-worker households and females from two-worker households in the context of leisure travel and activity. Similar analyses were also conducted for males. The results of analysis suggest that intrapersonal variability in leisure activity-travel patterns varies across individuals and households. The results further confirm the hypothesis that individuals from one-worker households had greater intrapersonal variability for several behavioral patterns than those from two-worker households. Social characteristics, auto ownership and location were found to statistically affect intrapersonal variability in leisure activities and travels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we compare gender differences in the allocation of time to market work, domestic work, child care, and leisure over the life cycle. Time-use profiles for these activity categories are constructed on survey data for three countries: Australia, the UK, and Germany. We discuss the extent to which gender differences and life-cycle variation in time use can be explained by public policy, focusing on the tax treatment of the female partner and on access to high-quality, affordable child care. Profiles of time use, earnings, and taxes are compared over the life cycle defined on age as well as on phases that represent the key transitions in the life cycle of a typical household. Our contention is that, given the decision to have children, life-cycle time use and consumption decisions of households are determined by them and by public policy. Before children arrive, the adult members of the household have high labour supplies and plenty of leisure. The presence of pre-school children, in combination with the tax treatment of the second earner's income and the cost of bought-in child care, dramatically change the pattern of time use, leading to large falls in female labour supply. We also highlight the fact that, in the three countries we study, female labour supply exhibits a very high degree of heterogeneity after the arrival of children, and we show that this has important implications for public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the crucial role of vaccination in halting the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to understand the factors that motivate adolescents to get vaccinated. We surveyed adolescents and their accompanying guardians scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) in an urban region in Germany in mid-2021 regarding their motivation for getting vaccinated and collected data on their sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, vaccination status, and any history of COVID-19 infection in the family. We also queried information strategies related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Motivations for getting vaccinated were similar among adolescents and their parents. The primary reasons for vaccination were protection against SARS-CoV-2-related illness and gaining access to leisure facilities. This was not influenced by gender, health status, migration background, or the presence of chronic or acute diseases. The percentage of parents who had received SARS-CoV-2 immunization and the proportion of parents with a high level of education were higher among study participants than in the general population. Adolescents were especially willing to be vaccinated if they came from a better educational environment and had a high vaccination rate in the family. Emphasizing the importance of vaccination among all segments of the population and removing barriers to vaccines may lead to an ameliorated acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological evidence suggests that regular physical activity (PA) positively impacts individuals' mental health (MH). The PA-MH relationship may be critical among immigrants owing to psycho-social-cultural influences. This scoping review of 61 studies employed a holistic bio-psycho-socio-cultural framework to thoroughly investigate the complex relationship between PA (across life domains) and immigrants' MH in Western countries. A systematic search of five electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Anthropology Plus) was conducted to locate relevant articles. No limitations were applied to study design, age, gender, home country, MH condition or PA type. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed conceptual model guided the analysis of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship. Immigrant PA-MH studies were conducted and reported most commonly in the USA (38%), Australia (18%), and Canada (11%). Overall, PA was positively related to MH. Each domain-specific PA appeared to be associated with unique MH-promoting pathways/mechanisms. Leisure-related PA may support MH by enhancing self-agency and minimizing risky behaviors, whilst travel- and domestic-related PA may promote self-accomplishment and physical engagement. Ethnic sports appeared to enhance resilience. Occupational-related PA was associated with either positive or negative MH, depending on the type of occupation. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed model is required to gain an encompassing and integrated understanding of immigrants' health. The first iteration of such a model is presented here, along with an illustration of how the model may be used to deepen analysis and understanding of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship among immigrants and inform public health planners and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The closure of all sports facilities during the two lockdowns in Germany favoured a reduction of leisure time physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to compare leisure time physical activity during the 1st and 2nd lockdown and to examine exercise performance before and after resumption of exercise. Leisure time physical activity was measured by the Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS) functional ability index and energy expenditure in the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants' exercise performance was extracted from a chip-controlled fitness circuit. Differences were tested for statistical significance using Friedman tests. 35 participants above 60 years were included from the Oldenburg area (20 women, 15 men, mean age and standard deviation 71±6 years). The decline in energy expenditure was higher during the 2nd lockdown (1st lockdown: Median -55.7 kcal.day-1, Q0.25−121.3 kcal.day-1, Q0.75 132.9 kcal.day-1; 2nd lockdown: Median -119.7 kcal.day-1, Q0.25−255.6 kcal.day-1, Q0.75−65.1 kcal.day-1; Friedman test: p<0.001, n = 35, W = 0.262). The time spent in the fitness circuit decreased from lockdown to lockdown as well as the number of participants exercising there. Intense activities were performed during the two lockdowns by only 7 and 3 participants, respectively, and were not resumed by two-thirds of the participants after the 2nd lockdown. During the 1st lockdown, exercise performance on resistance exercise devices increased in most of them, while it decreased by 1 to 7% during the 2nd lockdown. The lockdowns limited leisure time physical activity in older adults. This was more pronounced during the lockdown in winter 2020/2021, when participants engaged less in outdoor activities. Therefore, measures should be taken to maintain physical activity and muscle strength, especially during winter months, with a home-based training, if visiting gyms is not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by a single absent/defective gene and characterized by a lack of functional clotting factors. People with hemophilia may experience joint damage, pain, and psychological impairments, all of which could contribute to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The current standard of care is clotting factor replacement, which is associated with regular infusions; therefore, alternative treatments such as gene therapy (GT) are in development. GT involves the delivery of a functional copy of the clotting factor 8/9 gene by a single infusion into the patient's cells, enabling them to produce their own clotting factor VIII/IX. The impact of treatment on patients' HRQoL can be assessed using hemophilia-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. Since these measures were designed before the advent of GT, there is a need for updated individualized PRO measures. Patient groups and regulatory authorities emphasize the need for increased patient engagement when considering clinical trial design. Here, we provide patients' perspective on undergoing GT and discuss how to capture the patient voice when measuring the therapy's transformative impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with crucial changes in children's daily life including their physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST). Among preschool children, the family represents an important factor for sufficient PA levels by being the gatekeeper for PA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the family environment, specifically SES, parental support, and having siblings on COVID-19-related changes of PA and ST behavior in 317 (170 boys, 147 girls) German preschool children using longitudinal data. Our results indicate a decline in total amount of sports-related PA, an increase in outdoor play, as well as an increase in leisure ST in preschool children. The changes in total amount of PA differed between children with different levels of parental support as well as in dependence on having siblings. Furthermore, levels of outdoor play and ST in preschool children were influenced by environmental factors like having access to their own garden. We conclude that the family environment (parental support as well as physical environment) is highly relevant for PA and ST levels in preschool children. To provide every child with PA opportunities during potential future lockdowns, restriction policies should be adapted and parents need sophisticated information about the importance of their support and thus the PA levels of their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The main purpose of the study has been to examine changes in Internet use among men and women in 3 age groups (midlife, early old age, and advanced old age) between 2014 and 2021. We tested 2 hypotheses: The complementary hypothesis posits that online activities reproduce gender differences in offline activities. The compensatory hypothesis posits that women are catching up over time in male-typed activities as Internet access approaches saturation for both genders. Methods We used representative, longitudinal data from the German Ageing Survey collected in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2021 (n = 21,505, age range 46–90 years). We ran logistic regressions on Internet access and Internet use for 4 different gender-typed activities: social contact (female-typed), shopping (gender-neutral), entertainment (male-typed), and banking (male-typed). Results Between 2014 and 2021, women drew level with men in Internet access. Gender differences in all 4 forms of Internet use declined considerably between 2014 and 2021. Women overtook men in using the Internet for social contact. In older age groups, men held the lead regarding online banking. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, women caught up to men in Internet use, especially for entertainment. Discussion Overall time trends support the complementary hypothesis. By contrast, the finding that women have been catching up in some male-typed online activities during the COVID-19 pandemic supports the compensatory hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic led countries to place restrictions on the general public in order to protect their safety. These restrictions, however, may have negative psychological consequences as people are restricted in their social and leisure activities and facing daily life stressors. Investigating the relationship between how people are remembering pandemic events and thinking about their futures is important in order to begin to examine the psychological consequences – cognitive and emotional – of the Covid-19 pandemic. The present study examined how characteristics of past and future thinking relate to psychological wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. In an online questionnaire study, 904 participants in Germany and the USA recalled and predicted negative and positive events related to the pandemic. Participants completed a series of questionnaires measuring cognitions and psychological symptoms. Participants' current psychological wellbeing related to how they remembered events and thought of their future. Participants reported a greater sense of reliving for past compared to future events. However, future events were more rehearsed than past events. Additionally, the emotional impact of positive and negative events differed for the past and the future. Participants seem to be strongly future oriented during the Covid-19 pandemic, but have a negative view of future events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organized leisure activities are an important component of learning with a great potential for positive youth development. The available research has grown in the past decade but is still lacking differentiated analysis of specific activity determinants and longitudinal designs. Based on retrospectively collected quantitative data (n=1,547) at the end of low/ middle secondary schools in Germany (9th/10th grades), this study explores patterns of organized activity participation over the school years using LCA (Latent Class Analysis). Four latent classes could be identified on the basis of eight manifest activity determinants: None-Actives, Minor-Actives, Multiple-Actives, and Committed-Actives. Sociodemographic indicators as well as social, cultural, and economic capital predict the assignment to these classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The amount of empirical research on whether people in fact include health-related changes in leisure time into health state valuations is limited and the results are inconclusive. In this exploratory study, we analyse whether time aspects of diabetes self-care might explain the ratings of the health state (HSR) in addition to the effects of physical and mental health-related quality of life. Methods: Using the data from participants with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in the population-based KORA FF4 study (n = 190, 60% Male, mean age 69 ± 10 years), multiple logistic regression models were fitted to explain HSR (good vs. poor) in terms of the SF-12 physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS) scores, time spent on diabetes self-care and a number of background variables. Results: There was no significant association between time spent on diabetes self-care and HSR in models without interaction. Significant interaction term was found between the SF-12 PCS score and time spent on self-care. In models with interaction self-care time has a small, but significant impact on the HSR. In particular, for a PCS score under 40, more time increases the chance to rate the health state as "good", while for a PCS score above 40 there is a reverse effect. Conclusions: The additional impact of self-care time on HSR in our sample is small and seems to interact with physical health-related quality of life. More research is needed on whether inclusion of health-related leisure time changes in the denominator of cost-effectiveness analysis is sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2007 and 2008 smoking bans were gradually implemented in all of Germany's sixteen federal states to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants, and dance clubs. Aimed at reducing smoking and improving health, tobacco control policies are often controversially discussed as they entail potential side effects. We exploit regional variation to identify effects of smoking bans on life satisfaction and leisure time satisfaction. Difference-in-differences estimates reveal that predicted smokers who used to visit bars regularly are less satisfied with life and leisure time, following the enforcement of a smoking ban. We show that changes in use of leisure time likely explain these findings. On the contrary, predicted non-smokers who did not visit bars and restaurants frequently benefit from the smoking bans, as their satisfaction with leisure time increases. They show an increase in hours spent on free-time activities and are more likely to go out with smoking bans in effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Discourse: Journal of Childhood & Adolescense Research / Diskurs Kindheits- und Jugendforschung is the property of Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Foreseeable income reductions around retirement should not affect aggregate consumption. However, given higher leisure endowments after retirement, theory also predicts lower consumption of leisure substitutes. To avoid misinterpreting this predicted drop as a puzzle, our novel approach focuses on housing consumption (complementary to leisure in utility) and controls for leisure changes. In Germany tenants represent roughly half of all households, making many housing expenditures directly observable in micro data. We find significant negative impacts of the retirement status on housing consumption, which is hard to reconcile with life-cycle theory. Despite the lock-in nature of past housing decisions, income reductions at retirement have additional – though small – effects on housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Water is one of the most important landscape elements. In settled areas, planners rediscovered urban blue in the form of rivers as a soft location factor in post-industrial times. Although the recognition of the need for recreational or ‘healthy’ places like urban green or urban blue in cities is increasing, current urban planning is mostly conducted without taking beneficial health issues into account. In this paper an extended concept of therapeutic landscapes is used to analyse two promenades on the river Rhine in the centres of two German cities (Cologne and Düsseldorf). A complex of qualitative and quantitative methods from diverse disciplines is applied to obtain a multi-dimensional image of salutogenic health processes. The results show that the promenades are favourite places to spend leisure time and to engage in recreational activities, in addition to providing restoration from everyday stresses. Water is a strong predictor of preference and positive perceptive experiences in urban environments. Users of the promenades also report strong emotional attachments to the place. Urban blue space may be interpreted as a therapeutic landscape in various ways. The study forms a contribution to planning issues, particularly considering benefits for human health, and enhances current research concerning therapeutic landscapes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we analyse the potential demand for premium products on medium haul leisure routes, which is currently not met by appropriate supply. More precisely, we discuss if all-premium class services targeting the wealthy tourist could be viable on such routes. In a case study approach, we estimate potential costs, average ticket prices and demand for hypothetical all-premium class operations between Germany and Spanish islands Majorca, Gran Canaria and Tenerife. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper calls for a new reading of Fontane's Berlin novels, one that critically examines how the author's portrayals of such leisure sites as Tiergarten, Stralau, Treptow, Hankels Ablage, and Halensee reflect a democratization of leisure in which all Berliners, regardless of class, have access to a growing number of opportunities for recreation, pleasure, and relaxation. Resulting tensions between these locations as places of comfort and refuge and as urban spaces of crowds, chaos, and modern articulations of consumer society highlight these texts' representations of the dynamic and modern city. As a result, Fontane's Berlin novels reveal a spectrum of experience that is very much intricately tied to the vicissitudes of modern city life. From despair to acceptance and from celebration to mockery, the novels use the experience of leisure at these sites to strike various tones that ultimately capture the ambivalent and unpredictable character of life in the modern metropolis of Berlin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based recreation presents a key ecosystem service that people derive from landscapes. While numerous studies exist on the valuation of nature-based recreation for specific sites or regions, scientific knowledge gaps remain regarding the economic significance of nature-based recreation at national levels. This study aims to quantify the volume and economic significance of nature-based recreation in Germany, with a focus on leisure activities and weekend recreation. Our objective are to assess (i) motivations, time allocation and travel costs, (ii) frequencies and participation numbers, and (iii) economic significances. The research design includes a representative survey and descriptive statistics. Our results show that 81% of respondents participated in nature-based recreation within year before the survey, while the rest stated no participation. The average frequency was 63 leisure activities, 29 day-trips and seven short overnight trips. 'Experiencing nature' was the most frequently mentioned trip motivation. The extrapolated total participation volume in nature-based recreation amounts to 3.3 billiontrips and 16.6 billion hours. The economic significance is€ 151.3 billion, including travel costs, on-site expenses, and opportunity costs. Our study presents novel insights on the significance of NBR in Germany, and can support planning and policy making to safeguard and enhance landscape quality for recreational purposes. • Paper assesses volume, value and characteristics of nature-based recreation (NBR). • Volume of NBR trips per year in Germany found to be 3.3 bn. • Time spent on NBR trips is 16.6 bn hours or 3.4% of citizens' annual time budget. • Estimated NBR value in Germany is € 151.3 bn, incl. € 44.2 bn of tangible expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prior research provides limited information on the roles that leisure can play among Western international students studying in Eastern countries. Exploring this directional difference can provide its implications for Western international student support. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore leisure behaviours and leisure benefits associated with acculturation among Western international students residing in South Korea.Method: Using a purposeful criterion sampling strategy, a total of 18 participants (7 males and 11 females) were recruited. This study employed semi-structured in-depth interviews and a content mapping and content mining question strategy was incorporated.Results: The following core themes were associated with the health benefits of leisure activities experienced by international students living in South Korea: (a) promoting mental health, (b) experiencing dynamics of inter-and intra-group friendships, and (c) facilitating acculturation.Conclusions: The findings showed that participants developed friendships with the host individuals and other international students, became well acculturated into a new culture and experienced benefits to their mental health, indicating that leisure participation can be instrumental in improving social and psychological wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing interest in experience sharing among leisure travelers, there is still limited research concerning the role of travel experience sharing on leisure traveler's life satisfaction. The main objective of this research is to test the moderation effects of experience sharing during and after leisure travel on the bottom-up spillover process of tourists' leisure travel satisfaction–life satisfaction hierarchy. The positive effect of holiday trip motivation fulfillment on overall holiday trip satisfaction is hypothesized to be amplified by on-site experience sharing (e.g., uploading holiday pictures or videos to social media platforms while traveling). Also, the positive effect of holiday trip satisfaction on holiday travelers' subjective well-being is hypothesized to be amplified by posttrip experience sharing (e.g., publishing blog posts or travel reports online post trip). We used data from a large-scale social survey in Germany (N = 2,198) and the results confirmed the hypotheses. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spring 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic and several lockdowns were followed in Germany. To weaken the spread of the virus, SARS-CoV-2, people were required to reduce their face-to-face contact with others. Computer-mediated communication (CMC) offers opportunities to stay in touch with important people and still meets social needs. During the first lockdown in spring 2020, we collected data from 679 participants to explore the role of CMC for social interaction in the context of leisure activities and how personal characteristics contribute to such media use. Results showed that people complied with the restriction and shifted their communication to several media, especially instant messengers and video calls. Many leisure activities were performed via CMC, especially low-key activities, such as just talking or simply spending time together. Perceived social closeness to others was positively related to the quality and quantity of CMC. The extent of leisure activities that people experienced with others via communication media was higher among younger individuals, males, and individuals with higher scores on positive state affect, extraversion, openness, and fear of missing out. The preference for solitude showed a negative relation. The motivation to continue using media for communication after the pandemic was strongly related to the quality and quantity of actual use. Low extraversion and high openness were related to higher motivation for future use. Implications such as the importance of providing fast internet and good usability of communication media as well as the relevance of increasing media literacy of people are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social workers provide support for various groups of clients, such as refugees and homeless people. Refugees and homeless individuals represent particularly vulnerable groups in precarious living conditions. Therefore, social workers serving these clients are likely to be confronted with extensive job demands. The aim of this study was to investigate the coping strategies of social workers serving refugees and homeless individuals and to explore their support sources and health promotion offers at work as well as their respective needs. Methods: 26 semi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out with social workers in Berlin and Hamburg and analysed according to Mayring's qualitative content analysis. Results: The respondents reported various coping strategies to deal with their job demands which involved both problem-oriented (e.g. time management, setting boundaries, seeking support in conflict situations) and emotion-focused approaches (e.g. self-care, distance from work, leisure activities). In addition, they emphasised various sources of workplace (social) support, e.g. provided by team members, supervisors, and other institutions. However, unmet needs for support were also formulated by the workers, e.g. in terms of individual supervision and regular exchange. Furthermore, several employees did not know about any health promotion offers at their workplace and expressed a desire for structural and behavioural health promotion measures. Conclusions: In view of the diverse needs of the workers, the results can provide a basis to design needs-based health promotion interventions for staff in social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2008 alimony reform in Germany considerably reduced post-marital and caregiver alimony. We analyze how individuals adapted to these changed rulings in terms of labor supply, the intra-household allocation of leisure, and marital stability. We use the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and conduct a difference-in-difference analysis to investigate couples' behavioral responses to the reform. In general, the results do not confirm theoretical expectations from labor supply and household bargaining models. In particular, we do not find evidence that women increase their labor supply as a result of the negative expected income effect. Neither do our results reveal that leisure is shifted from women to men as a response to the changed bargaining positions. We find some evidence that married couples are more likely to separate after the reform, but this effect vanishes once unobserved heterogeneity at the couple level is controlled for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All individuals have the right to participate in activities. Therefore, productive work or other meaningful activities can promote the individuals' quality of life. While realizing work related activities for individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is an issue in clinical practice in general, special day service centers in Germany intend to provide work related activities for all individuals of the target group. The aim of the present study was to analyze the activities of all special day service centers in a northern urban region of Germany, in order to describe to what extent such activities could promote the work related quality of life of the individuals with PIMD. Four special day service centers participated in the present study. Data were collected in a diary for one individual with PIMD per group (n = 30). Goals and content were analyzed focusing on the relation with a work related quality of the life model (operationalized as interaction, experience of competences, and self‐determination). The results show that communication and self‐efficacy (as parts of interaction and experience of competences) are often goal and/or content of the presented activities. Stimulation of self‐determination was rarely ticked as a goal. The most important conclusion of the present study is that participation in work related activities of individuals with PIMD is possible. Including elements such as communication, motor activation, and experience of self‐efficacy, the activities can be described as activities promoting the quality of life in individuals with PIMD. Still, different types of special day service centers are needed. Focusing on either work related activities, education, and/or leisure activities accounts for the different needs of individuals with PIMD according to their different characteristics and different phases of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate whether the three-dimensional leisure constraints model which is adapted to holiday tourism shows the same structure for mono- and bicultural people and perceptions of these groups differ from each other. Design/methodology/approach: Separate surveys are conducted on Turkish people who are resident in Turkey, representing the mono-cultural structure, and Turkish people who live in Germany, representing the bicultural structure. The model is tested by factor analysis for each group, whereas perception differences on holiday tourism constraints are compared with t-tests. Findings: The analysis results showed that the factorial structure of the leisure constraints model is not the same in the holiday tourism context. Hence, new constraints dimensions were obtained in each case. A comparison of the holiday tourism constraints also showed that the perceptions of the mono- and bicultural people were significantly different from each other. Originality/value: The current study has contributions to the literature in terms of examining the holiday tourism constraints by using the adapted version of the leisure constraints model. Moreover, targeting Turkish people who live in Turkey and Germany, as the study samples, indicates a unique representation of mono- and bicultural structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate leisure noise exposure and sociodemographic determinants of risky leisure noise exposure over five years in 2148 students visiting grade 9 of any school type in a German city from 2009-2011. Within the OHRKAN cohort study, leisure noise exposure was calculated from literature-retrieved sound pressure levels (SPLs) and self-reported duration of 18 leisure activities at baseline and two follow-ups. Risky exposure was defined as exceeding 85 dB(A) averaged over a 40-h-week. Determinants of risky total leisure noise (TLN) exposure and risky exposure to portable listening devices (PLDs) were investigated using generalised estimating equations (GEEs). Up to 73% of students exceeded noise levels of 85 dB(A) at some timepoint. The noise exposure and importance of different leisure activities changed with increasing age. Risky exposure to TLN and PLDs was associated with lower education, single parent households and being male. Risky PLD exposure was additionally associated with a migrant background. Current prevention measures for leisure noise exposure must be extended to at-risk groups. Besides enhancing campaigns in lower education schools, acoustical insulation in sports halls, noise warnings on tools or in videogames could address especially men. Migrants need education about healthy PLD use in their native language if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although young adult men are at an elevated risk for gambling problems (GP), compared to adolescents and adults in general this group is still largely unresearched. The current study investigates whether family functioning, which is associated with reduced risk for GP in adolescence, also affects gambling in young adults, who are more independent than minors. It analyses the relationship between GP and two core components of family functioning, the effectiveness of problem-solving in the family and perceived concordance of values. Methods: Data came from the baseline, 12- and 24-month follow-up assessments of Munich Leisure-time Study (MLS), a longitudinal online study in young male gamblers. Young men were recruited via the Munich citizens’ registry (n = 2,693) and Facebook invites (n = 105). In total, n = 173 individuals positively screened for frequent and/or regular gambling participated in the study. The hypothesised relations between problem-solving, concordance of values and GP were investigated with a path model controlling for non-planning impulsiveness and psychological distress. Results: Higher concordance of family values was significantly related to less GP in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. It mediated the relation between the effectiveness of problem-solving and GP. Conclusions: While previous studies indicated good family functioning as a factor preventive of GP, the current results indicate that this association is mediated by the perceived concordance of family values. In families with effective problem-solving, common family values might facilitate recognition of and reaction to first signs of problems. Perceived discordance may lead to feelings of shame and concealment of GP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overweight and low levels of physical activity (PA) in preschoolers are major public health concerns. However, to date only few studies have investigated subjective and objective correlates of PA across different socioecological domains in preschoolers. We therefore simultaneously investigate associations between preschoolers' objectively measured leisure-time PA and a comprehensive set of subjective and objective potential PA correlates across the behavioral, social and physical environmental domains on both family- and community-level. Methods: In this cross-sectional study time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA) were measured by combined accelerometry and heart rate monitoring in 735 3-6 year-old children from 52 preschools in Southern Germany. Family- and community-level potential correlates of PA from different domains (behavioral, social and physical environmental) were subjectively (i.e. by parent proxy-report) and objectively assessed. Their associations with PA on weekend days and weekday afternoons were tested by covariate-adjusted multilevel regression models. Results: While none of the objective social and physical environmental factors showed associations with PA, subjective parental traffic safety perceptions were positively associated with MVPA and TPA on weekends. Also, preschoolers' participation in organized sports was positively correlated with MVPA (on weekends) and TPA (both on weekends and weekday afternoons). Conclusion: Subjective traffic safety perceptions and participation in organized sports, an indicator and a result of parental support towards PA - i.e. subjective parental perceptions of environmental factors and family-level correlates which are more proximal to preschoolers - might be more central to PA in preschool age than objectively assessed community-level environmental features which tend to be more distal correlates. If replicable, targeting parental perceptions of environmental factors and parental support for PA in preschool age might be powerful leverages for public health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The introduction of the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities and Health of the World Health Organization in 2001 made social participation a major rehabilitation outcome and the ultimate goal of rehabilitation services. There is no available instrument to measure the youth participation in leisure activities apart from asking the youth themselves. The goal of this study was to present a German version of the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and Preferences for Activities of Children (CAPE/PAC). Methods The CAPE/PAC questionnaire was translated into German, a cultural adaptation process was designed and a reliability study was conducted. One hundred and fifty-two youths with and without disabilities, with a mean age of 15.2 years (standard deviation 1.7), participated in the study. The participants completed CAPE and PAC twice within 4 weeks. Reliability was examined by intraclass correlation coefficients, standard error of measurement, smallest detectable change and Cronbach's alpha. Results The absolute values of participation differ between the typically developed youth group and those with impairments; the reliability of the CAPE/PAC is comparable in both groups. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.43 to 0.74 for the CAPE and from 0.71 to 0.83 for the PAC in all participants. The alpha values for internal consistency ranged from 0.42 to 0.82 for the CAPE and from 0.65 to 0.92 for the PAC. Conclusions The German version of the PAC showed satisfactory reliability; however, reliability was not satisfactory for all scores of the CAPE, but comparable with versions in other languages. The need for newly developed participation measurements requires further discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the impact of multimorbidity on the frequency of participation of older people in Europe in social leisure activities. Topics include the use of data from the European Project on Osteoarthritis (EPOSA), the concept of multimorbidity, and the individual and environmental factors that predict social leisure activity participation among the elderly. It also discusses the continuity theory of Robert Atchley.

There has been a debate on whether cost-effectiveness analysis should consider the cost of consumption and leisure time activities when using the quality-adjusted life year as a measure of health outcome under a societal perspective. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the effects of ill health on consumptive activities are spontaneously considered in a health state valuation exercise and how much this matters. The survey enrolled patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Germany (n = 104). Patients were randomized to explicit and no explicit instruction for the consideration of consumption and leisure effects in a time trade-off (TTO) exercise. Explicit instruction to consider non-health-related utility in TTO exercises did not influence TTO scores. However, spontaneous consideration of non-health-related utility in patients without explicit instruction (60% of respondents) led to significantly lower TTO scores. Results suggest an inclusion of consumption costs in the numerator of the cost-effectiveness ratio, at least for those respondents who spontaneously consider non-health-related utility from treatment. Results also suggest that exercises eliciting health valuations from the general public may include a description of the impact of disease on consumptive activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To investigate total leisure noise exposure among adolescents and to assess its association with hearing.Design:Based on self-reported time spent on 19 leisure activities and associated mean sound pressure levels reported in the literature, total leisure noise exposure was evaluated and compared to noise at work limits (> 85 dB(A) = hazardous) in a cross-sectional survey. Tympanometry and pure-tone audiometry was performed in sound isolated rooms.Study sample:The study sample consists of 2143 pupils attending grade nine in any school in a German city 2009–2011 (mean age: 15.4 years; range: 13–19 years). Audiometric data were available for 1837 (85.8%) pupils (53.9% girls).Results:41.9% of the 2143 adolescents who had provided self-reported data on leisure activities associated with noise exposure were estimated to be hazardously exposed to leisure time noise. The interaction of gender with total leisure time noise exposure was not significant. No association between leisure time noise exposure and audiometric notches could be detected.Conclusion:While hearing loss seems seldom in this age group, a high proportion of adolescents aged 15–16 years are exposed to noise levels during leisure time bearing long-term risks of hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: This study aimed 1) to provide data estimates concerning overall moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) as well as MVPA during work, transport and leisure in Germany and 2) to investigate MVPA and possible associations with socio-demographic correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey interviewed 2248 representative participants in the age of 18–65 years (1077 men; 42.4±13.4 years; body mass index: 25.3±4.5kg•m−2) regarding their self-reported physical activity across Germany. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to investigate MVPA during work, transport and leisure and questions were answered concerning their demographics. MVPA was stratified by gender, age, body mass index, residential setting, educational and income level. To identify socio-demographic correlates of overall MVPA as well as in the domains, we used a series of linear regressions. Results: 52.8% of the sample achieved physical activity recommendations (53.7% men/52.1% women). Overall MVPA was highest in the age group 18–29 years (p<.05), in participants with 10 years of education (p<.05) and in participants with lowest income levels <1.500€ (p<.05). Regression analyses revealed that age, education and income were negatively associated with overall and work MVPA. Residential setting and education was positively correlated with transport MVPA, whereas income level was negatively associated with transport MVPA. Education was the only correlate for leisure MVPA with a positive association. Conclusions: The present data underlines the importance of a comprehensive view on physical activity engagement according to the different physical activity domains and discloses a need for future physical activity interventions that consider socio-demographic variables, residential setting as well as the physical activity domain in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people's leisure activities are significantly different today than they were ten years ago. The obvious use of communication and entertainment electronics, such as cell phones, computers, and games consoles is only one aspect-there are also less visible changes: informal activities such as meeting with friends are being increasingly sidelined by education-oriented activities like extra-curricular music lessons or sports. These are the findings of a study conducted by DIW Berlin based on longitudinal data from the statistically representative Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP). It shows that education-oriented leisure activities feature in the lives of over 60 percent of all 16-year-olds. Ten years ago, this only applied to 48 percent of all young people of this age. The demand for education-oriented activities has increased across all social classes. Nevertheless, clearly identifiable social differences still remain. Young people from socially underprivileged households are therefore at a double disadvantage, since less favorable conditions at home are compounded in school and during leisure time. Policy-makers have already recognized the need to act here and are attempting to reduce persisting inequalities in leisure activities, for example, by expanding all-day schooling and promoting education-oriented leisure activities specifically for children from low-income families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although the promotion of social inclusion through sports has received increased attention with other disadvantaged groups, this is not the case for children and adults with intellectual disability who experience marked social isolation. The study evaluated the outcomes from one sports programme with particular reference to the processes that were perceived to enhance social inclusion. Method The Youth Unified Sports programme of Special Olympics combines players with intellectual disabilities (called athletes) and those without intellectual disabilities (called partners) of similar skill level in the same sports teams for training and competition. Alongside the development of sporting skills, the programme offers athletes a platform to socialise with peers and to take part in the life of their community. Unified football and basketball teams from five countries - Germany, Hungary, Poland, Serbia and Ukraine - participated. Individual and group interviews were held with athletes, partners, coaches, parents and community leaders: totalling around 40 informants per country. Results Qualitative data analysis identified four thematic processes that were perceived by informants across all countries and the two sports to facilitate social inclusion of athletes. These were: (1) the personal development of athletes and partners; (2) the creation of inclusive and equal bonds; (3) the promotion of positive perceptions of athletes; and (4) building alliances within local communities. Conclusions Unified Sports does provide a vehicle for promoting the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities that is theoretically credible in terms of social capital scholarship and which contains lessons for advancing social inclusion in other contexts. Nonetheless, certain limitations are identified that require further consideration to enhance athletes' social inclusion in the wider community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies indicate that dietary pattern and leisure time activities of adults not only differ between sexes but also between overweight and normal weight individuals. The aim of the present study was to determine if sex-specific differences in dietary pattern and leisure time activity already exist and are associated with weight status in young childhood. Methods: Nutritional intake, anthropometric parameters, leisure time activities and socio- demographical factors were assessed in 100 overweight and 51 normal weight children (81 girls and 70 boys), aged 5-8 years. Results: In general, independent of body weight, boys ate more cheese while girls consumed more vegetables and spent more time with sedentary activities. Moreover, regardless of sex, total energy and macronutrient intake did not differ between normal weight and overweight children. Also, time spent with sportive activities did not differ between groups; however, overweight boys spent significantly more leisure time with sedentary activities than normal weight boys. Furthermore, BMI of mothers and time spent with sedentary activities were identified as independent risk factors for the development of overweight when performing multiple regression analyses. Conclusions: Taken together, results of our study suggest that already at young age sex influences dietary pattern independent of body weight. Furthermore, an increased time spent with sedentary activities and an elevated maternal BMI were found to be associated with an elevated body weight in children. (Trial registration: NCT01306396) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has examined participation in betting in general, while sports bets have not been investigated specifically. The purpose of this study is to investigate the participation in sports betting and the mechanisms to place bets in Germany. Based on the economic household theory, it is assumed that participation in sports betting can be explained by a set of economic, socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors. A convenience sample of German citizens is drawn using an online survey (n=464). The results show that the typical online bettor is a male with high income, low education, and non-German nationality, who plays cards and poker during his leisure time, but does not regularly participate in sport. On the contrary, people betting via automats are predominantly female with low income and high education, who do not play poker, but practice sport in their leisure time. The findings have implications for policy makers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The well-documented association of reductions in physical activity with age is based largely on cross-sectional studies that do not distinguish between prevalence of physical activity and initiation/discontinuation patterns. These studies also fail to consider the changes in physical activity as a function of life stage. We investigated how physical activity evolves over a lifetime. We distinguished between prevalence and initiation/discontinuation patterns and also considered multidirectional age effects. Subject and methods: The analyses are based on the annual German Socio-Economic Panel survey, which originally involved 6,000 households (>12,000 individuals) from age 16. Our study included 3,487 subjects (West Germany), i.e., 33% of the individuals first interviewed in 1984. A survival analysis model was constructed to assess the simultaneous effect of age and generation, while adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The results show that the ubiquitous differences in physical activity between age groups are mainly attributable to cohort differences, not age effects. The likelihood of initiating at least weekly physical activity declines with age, as does the likelihood of discontinuing an established exercise habit. Both trends are more readily explained by changes in occupational and family biography than by health and fitness. Conclusion: The ubiquitous differences in physical activity between age groups are largely due to intergenerational differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this 2-week diary study, with 105 employees providing data on a total of 476 days, we examined relationships between the amount of time spent on volunteer work activities during leisure time, psychological non-work experiences in the evening (i.e. recovery experiences of psychological detachment from work and mastery as well as need satisfaction), and work outcomes during the following working day (i.e. positive and negative affect, and active listening). Results confirmed the hypothesized positive relationships between the amount of time spent on volunteer work activities and psychological detachment from work, mastery experiences, and need satisfaction in the evening. Psychological detachment from work in the evening was positively related to active listening during the following working day. Need satisfaction in the evening was negatively related to negative affect and positively related to active listening during the following working day. The amount of time spent on volunteer work activities was negatively related to negative affect during the following working day. This relationship was mediated by need satisfaction in the evening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits and constraints to angling participation experienced by recreational anglers with and without disabilities were compared in this study. Data were gathered for 775 angler organization members (n = 347 with disabilities) responding to a mail survey in Germany. Anglers with disabilities were older and more often retired than anglers without disabilities, but there were no differences in angling frequency between angler groups. The social and self-improvement benefits associated with recreational fishing were higher for anglers with disabilities compared to anglers without disabilities, and anglers with disabilities experienced significantly more and different constraints to participation. Targeted management actions specifically directed at people with disabilities are needed to capitalize on the importance of a nature-based recreation activity like angling for this demographic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of leisure and tourism research in the German-speaking world shows a number of distinct stages. The origins of tourism research can be traced back to Hans Poser and his analyses of tourism in the Riesengebirge in 1939 (today Krkonosze, Krkonoše). His main focus was on the landscape as a setting for tourism. He considered the analysis of the interactions between landscape and the holidaymaking public the main task of geography. In contrast, 'Geography of Leisure Behaviour', from the so-called Munich School, placed more emphasis on people and leisure-based human behaviour. Current approaches focus on applied issues such as sustainable tourism and spatial carrying capacity, as well as current societal changes and the ensuing changes in supply and demand. Another current focus of research is the significance of geographical space for leisure and tourism. This is no longer limited to physical space, but also includes so-called 'action space', perceived space and even virtual space. Notwithstanding the many special trends that result from the increasing fragmentation of society, the main task of geography of tourism and leisure must remain to support sustainable development and take a holistic view of leisure and tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leisure activities play an increasingly dominant role in our daily lives. Their importance has increased steadily over the last 40 years compared with other activities. Considering leisure travel, one would expect to discover this trend in recent empirical work. Unfortunately, this has not been possible in Germany or other countries due to a lack of suitable data. The lack of such data is mainly caused by different leisure activities being performed sporadically, which are influenced by changing conditions such as the weather, traffic, etc. It is thus desirable to obtain data over periods substantially longer than 1 or even several days (longitudinal data). The longitudinal 6-week Mobi drive survey data match this requirement and are analysed here with regards to leisure activities. The Mobi drive data allow the examination of aspects of temporal and spatial variability and separate analyses of distinct detailed leisure activities. Because leisure traffic has been rarely analysed from a longitudinal perspective, it is difficult to generalize the results. For this reason, a similar but outdated dataset (Uppsala dataset) is used to validate the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]