Leisure behavior patterns: a study of residents in the lower Brazos Valley of Texas

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to determine if a relationship existed between selected socioeconomic characteristics and free time and its use. Hypotheses were developed and tested to investigate the effect of occupation, family income, education, place of residence, and sex on the availability and use of leisure time. Data concerning the quantity of free time available to the individual were collected through the use of time budget diaries and personal interviews were designed to gather information for the activity analysis. The secondary objective was, in fact, a requirement of the first. In the course of investigating the relationships described above, it was necessary to combine existing research techniques into a methodology broad enough to evaluate the effects of the socio-economic variables on leisure time and its use. The study area for the research included the following southeastern Texas counties: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington. A random block technique was used to select the sample. The population surveyed included only those residents of the seven county area that were eighteen years of age or older. Data for the study were collected between February 1, 1973 and March 1, 1973 by members of Squadron One, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets. Seventy-two percent of the dwelling units contacted during the course of the project returned usable interview schedules. ...