Keywords

family leisure, ecological momentary assessments, participant burden

Abstract

Scholars have documented the research tradeoffs of using ecological momentary assessments (EMA) to study daily life. Less is known about participants’ perspectives. The aim of this research note was to delineate the challenges of participating in a 14-day EMA study of family leisure described by 41 individuals (mothers, fathers, and adolescents) from 14 families to inform future family leisure studies using EMA. Participants identified three potential challenges: repetitive questions, inconvenient signals, and short response windows. Despite these challenges, the majority of participants indicated that they would recommend a similar study to others. The reality that so many families feel squeezed for time requires scholars to be aware of participants’ perspectives and make accommodations accordingly. Otherwise, advances in family leisure research and programs will be thwarted. Ecologically valid, yet time-intensive, research methods like EMA could provide rich data about how to promote fulfilling family leisure experiences and well-being.

Original Publication Citation

"Challenges of ecological momentary assessments to study family leisure: Participants’ perspectives", Journal of Leisure Research, 2022

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2022

Publisher

Journal of Leisure Research

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Experience Design and Management

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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