European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science
ISSN: 2501 - 1235
ISSN-L: 2501 - 1235
Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu
10.5281/zenodo.53165
Volume 1│Issue 3│2016
EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS
(SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING OF GIRLS
EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Bahyeh Zarei1, Mozafar Yektayar2*
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Kurdistan Science and Research Branch,
1
Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Sanandaj Branch,
2
Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract:
The objective of this research was doing an examination about the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) with leisure time spending in the girls of Sanandaj city
emphasizing sporting activities. The method of research was descriptive-correlated and
has been done as field research. The population of the research consisted of all young
girls of Sanandaj aged between 15-29 years old which 384 samples were selected by
using multi-stage cluster sampling. The tools of research were Godrat Nama SES
questionnaire (2013) and free time questionnaire of Kolsomzade (2011) with the
reliability coefficient of 0.86 and 0.88 respectively. Descriptive Statistics and
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test inferential statistics, Pearson correlation and regression were
used for analysing of data. Results indicated that there is a positive and meaningful
relationship between socio-economic statuses, income, economic class and father's
education with spending leisure time of participants. But there was not found a
meaningful relationship between mother's education and housing situation with
spending leisure time of participants. Also in the simultaneous regression model, Beta
coefficient indicated that the components of income (2.531), economic class (2.485) and
father's education (2.182) have positive effect on the variable of spending leisure time of
the young girls of Sanandaj city. In general, it can be concluded that improving the
economic situation of the family and promoting literacy can have significant impact on
the spending leisure time of young girls.
Keywords: socio-economic status, leisure time, girls, sporting activities
Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved
Published by Open Access Publishing Group ©2015.
47
Bahyeh Zarei, Mozafar Yektayar EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING
OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Introduction
Mankind throughout his life has always faced with numerous and varied issues and has
done so many attempts for resolving them. Numerous facilities that nowadays human
has owned are a result of efforts and even sacrifices of past generations. But today's
human have some challenges that is not less than past generations issues in terms of
diversity and complexity. And the same issues have been considered further in the last
two decades. Scientists and experts have been analysed and adjusted matters and each
offered their strategies from their views. Spending leisure time is a matter that is a
concern which by social developments and the progress of science and technology as a
serious and effective issue (Wuest and Bucher, 2008). Man realized the importance of
time, its passing, and its impact on his fate and tried to use it consciously. Thus,
preventing of social, moral and physical deviations had been important by planning
(Nanus & Harvey, 1993).the necessity and important of using leisure time such
involved nowadays human that has committed to establish the leisure time
organization beside other organizations. Today, leisure is not a lateral phenomenon but
it is one of the most important areas of modern civilization that has changed quantity
and quality of cultural production by its expanding (Shariati, 1381). Leisure activities
had been means as entertainments, recreations and activities that is done by interest
and enthusiasm after daily activities and its main functions considered refreshment,
entertainment, recreation, growth and prosperity of the human personality (Hunnicutt,
2013).
Leisure activities for a youngster are as conditions for trial and error and social
experiencing that equips him .her for entry into the community and responsibility for
the future (Fokohi and Ansari, 2003). Doing appropriate leisure activities plays an
important and effective role in the forming dynamic, enthusiastic and joyful intellectual
power personality of a society. Thus achieving this important goal requires planning,
enrichment and organizing resources for ideal spending leisure time. And neglect or
inattention has bitter and harmful results. Perceptions of how to spend their leisure
time in terms of leisure and social and historical conditions is different according to
historical and social conditions and life cycle. In the modern era the human does not
enters directly from childhood to adulthood but it has a period in his life that is equal to
lack of responsibility and leisure time has a great distribution in it. Special attention and
providing opportunities for spending leisure time of women and girls can have an
effective role in the shaping their personality and also structuring community (Azevedo
et al, 2007). Among leisure activities sport significantly decreases mental pressures and
raises a person's social adaptation (Aldana, 1996). It should be noted that several factors
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 3 │ 2016
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Bahyeh Zarei, Mozafar Yektayar EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING
OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
affect how people spend their leisure time. Among the factors affecting leisure activities
we can refer to socio-economic status and its indexes including salary, education level,
household density, age, marital status etc.in the leisure time socio-economic status
creates boundaries and differences (Beenackers et al, 2012). Human communities
economically and socially divided into different classes. Everyone is belonged to a
certain socio and economic class depending on the profession and some economic and
educational standards (Al-Kholi, 1996) Analysing the role of leisure time in the modern
era and its relationship with socio-economic status indicates the increasing importance
of leisure in contemporary society. Experts about effects of socio-economic status on
spending leisure time say that family environment and social-economic status of family
has effects mental attitudes on toward how people spend their leisure time (Lotfizadeh,
2012). The research shows that students with the average and higher than average
economic status are more active in spending their leisure time due to family awareness
of the benefits of leisure (social category) and emotional and financial support
(economic class). But families with low economic status because of unawareness of
family (social class) and lack of emotional and financial support (economic class) have
not attention to spending leisure time (Dalman & Livyaiz, 2010).
Walseth & Strandbu (2014) indicated that girls with a history of migration
participate in organized sports less than other young people. In this study obstacles
related to culture and religion has been expressed as the most important obstacles in the
women participation in the sport activities. Results of Vandendriessche et al research
(2012) indicated that socio-economic status is depended positively and meaningfully
with sport participation and membership in sports clubs for both men and women. Also
Binacress et al (2012) founded that in the most performed researches there is a positive
relationship between high economic status with high levels of active participation in
leisure sports.
Asorika and Mayer (2012) have examined in a research different types of
participation of Indian women in the leisure activities in comparison with Australian
women. They resulted that those origin Indian women and other ethnic minorities
(immigrants) in comparison with Australian women because of social and cultural
exclusion do not have the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational
activities. They indicated that by promoting and diversify in the social and cultural
aspects in the sport it can be significantly increase the interest and participation of
origin Indian women to the leisure sports. Also Laakso et al (2008) in a research with
title "Process leisure time physical activity among young people in Finland between the years
2000-1977" stated that during recent decades examination of leisure time physical
activity between Finnish boys and girls shows that participation of people in the
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 3 │ 2016
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Bahyeh Zarei, Mozafar Yektayar EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING
OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
organized sport from the state has increased significantly which this is more for girls in
comparison of boys.
Sabourin & Irwin (2008) has performed a research with the title "Promoting
enough exercise among college parents" which resulted that in youngsters participation of
girls in sports has specifically influenced by social factors such as friends and
classmates also considered the role of parents important in the physical activities.
Robertz (2007) in a research has examined inhibiting factors of women Sport. Results
showed that economic factors constitute 80 percent of the most important inhibiting
factor in the sport activities. Then cultural and personal factors were ranked in next
classes. The most important personal factors that prevent women from attending sports
activities related to married women and women that have children. They due to the
responsibilities relating to household and childcare in many cases were unable to
participate in sports activities and enjoy it. Bari & Petosa (2006) in their article with the
title "The impact of sports and leisure activities planning for high school students in Ohio
(America)" resulted that planning for students has increased the level of physical
activity outside of class. Also with clear influences of leisure sports activities on the
student's achievements the physical activity of students especially students with low
mobility has increased.
Young girls because of social and biological properties and social and tradition
conditions of Iran community need to some leisure programs different from the boys.
One of the major cause's different patterns of women and men, including their leisure
time is due to the difference in their moods. Shortage or lack of leisure activities suitable
for women and young girls causes to reducing efficiency at work, education and family
and depression and perhaps causes the destruction of human relations in the field of
social and family (Sarokhani and Malekian, 2011). By looking at current condition of
women in Iran in various fields, we see that they have tried to show their abilities. In
this respect, it can be referred to significant increase of girls entering higher education
institutions in the recent years. Today's young girls who are the future mothers of Iran
are required leisure time for reflection. And researches about leisure time of this
generation can clarify shortcomings of this field. Therefore, the current research has
been done with the purpose of investigating relationship of socio-economic with
spending leisure time of girls in the city of Sanandaj.
Materials and Methods
The current research was descriptive
correlation which data gathering has been done
through field studies. Cluster sampling method was used considering the magnitude
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Bahyeh Zarei, Mozafar Yektayar EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING
OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
and extent of the research community and lack of access to the complete list of all
members of society. For this purpose and considering geographic areas of Sanandaj it
was divided into 4 regions South, North, East and West and in each region two
neighbourhoods were randomly selected and the questionnaires were distributed
among young girls 15-29 years old and then gathered. Based on Morgan table the
numbers of samples were determined 384 people. For gathering data the standard
questionnaire of socio-economic status (SES) was used that has been designed by
Ghodratnama (2013).this index is a compound of income, economic level, father's
education level, mother's education level and housing situation. The reliability
coefficient of the questionnaire was calculated during one pilot study over 10% of
mentioned sample size in the 4 regions of Sanandaj city through using Cronbach's alpha
0.86. Kolsomzade questionnaire (2011) was used for leisure time which consisted of 18
items and its validity was confirmed by a number of specialists and its validity
coefficient was calculated as 0.88. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and descriptive Statistics
were used for data analysing and for normal measurement and inferential statistics in
meaningful level 0.05 .the software version is SPSS 20 edition.
Findings
For providing research findings first table describing the demographic variables is
given and then the results are presented.
Table 1: Descriptive statistics of socio-economic status and leisure times
index
mean
Standard deviation
variable
Socio-economic status
0.511
3.82
Leisure time
0.406
3.42
According to obtained results of table 1 the average of socio-economic and leisure time
is higher than average level (average level=3)
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 3 │ 2016
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Bahyeh Zarei, Mozafar Yektayar EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING
OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Table 2: Results of correlation test related to relationship between socio-economic
status, income, and economic class, father and mother's education level and housing
status with leisure time of participants
Pearson correlation
index
Meaningful level
coefficient
variable
Socio-economic status
0.243
**
income
0.189
*
0.301
**
Father,s education level
0.294
**
Mother,s education level
0.041
0.311
Housing status
0.072
0.441
Economic level
0.002
0.221
0.001
0.001
Table 2, indicating positive and meaningful relationship between socio-economic status,
economic level and father's education level with leisure time activities of participants
but there was not found a meaningful relationship between mother's education level
and housing status with spending leisure time of participants.
According to Table 8, the results of multiple regression analysis related to
relationship between different aspects of socio economic status with spending leisure
time of participants simultaneously indicated that the linear combination of variables in
the meaningful level of 0.05 is meaningful because 0 <002.0.. and determination
coefficient is 0.12 it means that 0.12 of dependent variable changes (leisure time of
young girls) is explained by predictor variables(aspects of socio-economic status)
Table 3: Beta coefficient and variable dimensions between socioeconomic status
and leisure time
Predictor variables
Fixed amount
B
BETA
T
Meaningful
Determination
level
coefficient
24.878
-
3.002
0.003
Income
7.658
2.531
3.25
0.021
Economic class
6.710
2.485
2.70
0.000
Father’s education
5.326
2.128
2.44
0.000
Mother’s education
0.107
0.219
1.445
0.311
Housing status
0.041
0.134
0.77
0.441
0.12
According to table 3 we can see that in the meaningful level of 0.05 beta coefficients
indicate that income component (2.531) economic level (2.485) and father's education
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Bahyeh Zarei, Mozafar Yektayar EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING
OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
(2.182) has positive effect over the leisure time of young girls. The regression equation is
as follows:
Y=
.2 +
. (income) + 6.71(economic level) +5.326 (father's education)
Discussion and Conclusion
In recent decades the speed of industry improvements of human has been dramatic
such that it influenced so many aspects of human life and also has converted human life
to machinery life. That is why life in modern world has taken rapid innovation from
human and makes him poverty in the motor and to follow the motion of poverty made
him so many physical and psychosocial problems. From the other hand as a result of
the spread of civilization and industrialization although we are witness the increase
economic growth and prosperity control and automation technology in human life but
parallel to this growth the man's role as an agent of growth has decreased such that
instead of human, designer and programmer machines are used which results in
reduced use of manpower and working time and increasing leisure time. While the
increase in leisure time can be positive or negative .since it may be at this times the
human will be drawn to the social moral and physical abnormalities. And that this time
should be used in a positive way. The role of physical activity in healthiness of human
life is undeniable. Especially this issue is more important about girls and women that
are effective in health and education of children. Thus sport as one of the active leisure
activities has a determinant role in the maintaining mental and physical health in turn
this issue is also important for women because so many of them due to issues such as
culture and religion spend more of their time at home. And lack of attention to this
issue can cause psychological
mental problems.
In general it was found that there is a significant correlation between
socioeconomic status and leisure time young girls in Sanandaj city. That is consistent
with results of Vnden drish et al (2012), Asorika and Mayer (2012) and Binakres et al
(2012). Findings of Binakres et al (2012) indicated that there is a correlation between
socioeconomic and all types of leisure time. Such that the higher the socio-economic
base these people are more willing to spending leisure time. In the Asorika and Mayer
(2012) this result is obtained that origin Indian women and other ethnic minorities
(immigrants) because of social and cultural deprivations have no opportunity to
participate in the sports and recreational activities in comparison with Australian
women. They showed that by promote social and cultural diversity in sports can
significantly stimulate the interest and participation of women and other immigrant
women. It can be generally stated that socio-economic status directly affects the amount
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Bahyeh Zarei, Mozafar Yektayar EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES) WITH LEISURE TIME SPENDING
OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
and type of participation in leisure sports activities. Also the findings show that there is
a significant relationship between income level and spending leisure time. In fact, it
should be stated that one of the most important components of social status is income
level. Therefore, people with high incomes may be higher in social class and those with
low incomes are classified in social class. And since that exercise and physical activity in
leisure time in many cases needs to spend money and costs families located in the lower
economic classes of society less able to participate in these activities. This result is
actually overlaps with other results obtained. In other part of research the results
indicates existing significant relationship between class economy and leisure time. It
seems that whatever family income increases children fewer pay attention to issues that
poor people of society dealing with. And hence they spend their time to leisure
activities such as recreation and exercise. There is a meaningful relationship between
father's education levels and spending leisure time but there isn't meaningful
relationship between mother's education level and spending leisure time. The result
may be due to traditional and patriarchal forms of life in Iran. As this type of culture
could influence the type of leisure activity of the children since in Iran the fathers are
responsible for livelihood affairs thus they can support the active participation of their
children in sports or preventing them. Therefore result obtained seems logical.
According to results obtained from this research it is recommended to planners
and policy makers of leisure time that in the culture field especially for leisure time
make policies and programming. Also according to positive relationship of education
level of parents with how to spend leisure time of children and probability of parents'
lack of familiarity with benefits of Spending leisure time it is recommended that aware
parents with this issue in order to encourage them to make possibilities for their
children to spend their leisure time effectively.
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OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
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OF GIRLS EMPHASIZING SPORTING ACTIVITIES
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