| This study presents findings from a telephone survey of residents of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The study examined the effects of ethnic factors on outdoor recreation participation. Anglo-Americans and persons of Mexican descent were compared on outdoor recreation participation, participant groups, and benefits derived from recreation participation.;Mexican-American respondents were segmented into four groups based on their language skills and preferences. The acquisition of English and disuse of Spanish were assumed to be important indicators of "cultural assimilation" into Anglo society. Using non-hierarchial cluster analysis, Mexican-Americans were categorized into the following groups: "least acculturated," "bicultural and bilingual," "bilingual," and "most acculturated." The study also differentiated Mexican-Americans by the ethnicity of persons they associated with in primary and secondary relationships. These measures served as indicators of "primary" and "secondary" assimilation. Structural assimilation was examined because previous research has shown that most leisure behaviors are learned in primary groups (i.e., family and close friends), while some outdoor recreation behaviors are influenced by secondary groups (e.g., coworkers).;It was hypothesized that the greater the cultural and structural assimilation of Mexican-Americans, the more similar their outdoor recreation behavior would be to that of Anglo-Americans. In general, the hypotheses received support. The most culturally assimilated Mexican-ancestry persons were more likely to participate in the same types of outdoor recreation activities as Anglo-Americans, and to visit the same kinds of recreation areas. This was not true for the least acculturated group. Also, Mexican-Americans maintaining primary and secondary ties with Anglo-Americans were more similar to Anglos in their recreation behavior than were Mexican-Americans who associated with members of their ethnic group.;Anglo-Americans and Mexican-Americans did not differ in the typical size of recreation groups or in typical group composition. Mexican-American persons having primary social ties with other Mexican-Americans were less likely to report friendship groups as the usual context for recreation participation. Some differences existed in the importance of family-related recreation experiences. "Bicultural and bilingual" Mexican-Americans placed the greatest emphasis on family recreation.;The results of the study were discussed in relation to previous research and policy issues. |
