Types of Leisure and Cultural Activities Among People with Disabilities and Exploration of Type-Specific Characteristics Using the Leisure Constraints Model

Background and Purpose:

This study aimed to classify the types of leisure and cultural activities among people with disabilities and explore the type-specific characteristics using the leisure constraints model.

Methods:

The study utilized the 7th wave data (2022) of the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED), conducted by the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities (KEAD). The sample consisted of 2,605 people with disabilities aged 19 and above. Leisure and cultural activity indicators included cultural and arts activities (movies, theaters, art galleries), tourism activities (domestic and international travel, hiking), sports activities (sports spectating and participation), and social and other activities (clubs, religious activities, volunteer work). Factors used to predict type-specific characteristics were based on the leisure constraints model, including intrapersonal constraints (disability acceptance, average number of exercise days per week, chronic diseases), interpersonal constraints (presence of caregivers, degree of discrimination), and structural constraints (need for regular treatment due to disability, average monthly healthcare costs, residential area). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was applied to classify the types of leisure and cultural activities among people with disabilities, and logistic regression analysis using the three-step approach (a method that accounts for classification uncertainty in the class membership) was conducted to verify the influencing factors for each type.

Results:

The classification revealed two distinct groups: the 'active participation group', displaying substantial involvement in cultural, arts, and tourism activities, yet lesser in sports and other social endeavors; and the 'passive participation group', showing minimal engagement across all metrics. Analysis of influencing factors, under the framework of the leisure constraints model and adjusting for socio-demographic variables (gender, age, educational attainment, disability type and severity, and economic status), indicated significant intrapersonal influences: higher disability acceptance and more frequent exercise correlated with increased likelihood of active group membership. Among interpersonal factors, lacking a caregiver markedly raised the probability of active participation. Structural factors, specifically not requiring regular disability-related treatment and residing in urban areas, were also positively associated with active group affiliation.

Conclusions and Implications:

This study is noteworthy for including health factors in the analysis, in addition to the existing leisure constraint elements. To increase participation in leisure and cultural activities among people with disabilities, multifaceted efforts are required. These efforts may include improving the accessibility of leisure and cultural facilities, providing targeted health and medical support, offering financial assistance for participation, and conducting awareness campaigns to reduce discrimination and stigma. Furthermore, policymakers and practitioners should consider the specific needs and constraints faced by different subgroups of people with disabilities when designing interventions to promote their participation in leisure and cultural activities.