Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts

BackgroundScuba diving has emerged as a popular recreational activity in China over the past two decades, yet academic research on this sport from the perspective of leisure studies remains limited. This study explores the relationship between leisure constraints and constraint negotiation among scu...

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Main Authors: Jing Chen, Zihan Yu, Ruiyang Ni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1586601/full
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author Jing Chen
Jing Chen
Jing Chen
Zihan Yu
Ruiyang Ni
author_facet Jing Chen
Jing Chen
Jing Chen
Zihan Yu
Ruiyang Ni
author_sort Jing Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundScuba diving has emerged as a popular recreational activity in China over the past two decades, yet academic research on this sport from the perspective of leisure studies remains limited. This study explores the relationship between leisure constraints and constraint negotiation among scuba diving enthusiasts, aiming to fill this research gap.MethodThis study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining in- depth interviews with 20 scuba diving enthusiasts and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) for survey and analysis. The interviews focused on the participants' leisure motivations, the constraints encountered at different stages of their diving careers, and the negotiation strategies they employed.ResultsThe findings revealed that scuba diving enthusiasts tend to use cognitive negotiation strategies when addressing personal and interpersonal constraints, while predominantly employing behavioral negotiation strategies when dealing with structural constraints. A structural relationship was identified between leisure constraints and constraint negotiation, indicating that the type of constraint influences the negotiation strategy employed.ConclusionsThis study provides empirical support for the structural relationship between leisure constraints and constraint negotiation, enriching the materials available for leisure research. Future research is recommended to expand the sample size and further explore the underlying mechanisms of this relationship, as well as to consider the authenticity and accuracy of respondents' self-reports.
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spelling doaj-art-9773e5e31be44be58a7eb2de7a2eaaac2025-08-20T13:45:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-06-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15866011586601Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiastsJing Chen0Jing Chen1Jing Chen2Zihan Yu3Ruiyang Ni4School of Marxism, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaHangzhou International Urbanology Research Center & Zhejiang Urban Governance Studies Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaZhejiang Leisure Association, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaSchool of Public Affairs, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaSchool of Humanities & Foreign Languages, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaBackgroundScuba diving has emerged as a popular recreational activity in China over the past two decades, yet academic research on this sport from the perspective of leisure studies remains limited. This study explores the relationship between leisure constraints and constraint negotiation among scuba diving enthusiasts, aiming to fill this research gap.MethodThis study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining in- depth interviews with 20 scuba diving enthusiasts and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) for survey and analysis. The interviews focused on the participants' leisure motivations, the constraints encountered at different stages of their diving careers, and the negotiation strategies they employed.ResultsThe findings revealed that scuba diving enthusiasts tend to use cognitive negotiation strategies when addressing personal and interpersonal constraints, while predominantly employing behavioral negotiation strategies when dealing with structural constraints. A structural relationship was identified between leisure constraints and constraint negotiation, indicating that the type of constraint influences the negotiation strategy employed.ConclusionsThis study provides empirical support for the structural relationship between leisure constraints and constraint negotiation, enriching the materials available for leisure research. Future research is recommended to expand the sample size and further explore the underlying mechanisms of this relationship, as well as to consider the authenticity and accuracy of respondents' self-reports.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1586601/fullSCUBA divingleisure constraintsconstraint negotiationcognitive strategiesbehavioral strategies
spellingShingle Jing Chen
Jing Chen
Jing Chen
Zihan Yu
Ruiyang Ni
Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
SCUBA diving
leisure constraints
constraint negotiation
cognitive strategies
behavioral strategies
title Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts
title_full Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts
title_fullStr Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts
title_full_unstemmed Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts
title_short Leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships: a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts
title_sort leisure constraints and the negotiation of structural relationships a case study of scuba diving enthusiasts
topic SCUBA diving
leisure constraints
constraint negotiation
cognitive strategies
behavioral strategies
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1586601/full
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