Young Koreans and Sport in Australia Jae Won Kang M.Ed. (USyd), M.A. (VU) Thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the School of Social Sciences and International Studies, University of New South Wales August 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Kang First name: Other name/s: Jae Won Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: SLSP9050 School: Faculty: Social Sciences and International Studies Arts and Social Sciences Title: Young Koreans and sport in Australia Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) The thesis uses a modified form of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in analysing sport participation of young Koreans in Australia. The theoretical framework of the thesis is drawn from four theories: Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour (1985); Berry’s acculturation framework (1980; 1997); Vaux et al.’s social support appraisals of family, peer and general social support (1986); and the status of hierarchical leisure constraint theory (Crawford & Godbey, 1987; Crawford, Jackson, & Godbey, 1991). The main method used is questionnaire survey, supplemented by some semi-structured interviews. The main findings are: (1) Socio- demographic characteristics (age, gender, length of residence, residential status, and language skills) partially influenced sport patterns. (2) Sport participation rates of respondents in Australia differ depending on acculturation modes. (3) Among the social support, peer acceptance and support, which turned out to be the more popular support accessed by participants, contributed to the formation of their sporting attitudes and behaviours. (4) The most important participation constraints within the seven categories were resources, access, interpersonal, affective, religious, socio-cultural, and physical, in that order. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). …………………………………………………… ……………………………………..……………… ……….……… Signature Witness Date The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: THIS SHEET IS TO BE GLUED TO THE INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THE THESIS COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ‘I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date ……………………………………………...........................23/February/2012 .... AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT ‘I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.’ Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date …………………………………23/February/2012.……………........................... i ORIGINALITY STATEMENT ‘I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.’ Signed …………………………………………………………………….. 23/February/2012 Date …………………………………………….................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to deeply thank my supervisors, Emeritus Professor Ralph Hall and A/Professor Rogelia Pe-Pua (Head of School, Social Sciences and International Studies). Without their patience, guidance, encouragement and stimulation, this thesis would not have been possible. Their assistance extended beyond my PhD to my professional development and continues to do so today. In addition, all staff members and other doctoral students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia who have supported me are also truly thanked. Many people gave me great assistance and support during this research and I would like to thank, in particular, Professor Tracy Taylor (School of Leisure, Sport & Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney), Rev. Dr. Myong Duk Yang (Multicultural Board of Mission, The Uniting Church in Australia), Dr. Seong-Chul Shin (Coordinator of Korean Studies Program, UNSW), Grand Master Yong Dai Cho (Former President of Taekwondo Australia), Rev. Ki Duk Hwang (Sydney Dongsan Korean Church), Rev. Jin Kap Jeong (Pyongwha Korean Church), Mrs. Myung Sook Cho (Elder, Melbourne Hanbit Korean Church). I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Tuan Truong and Mr. Andrew Rudkin who helped me with writing corrections; and I also thank Mr. Sei Jung Oh who gave me great support to analyse data using the SAS program. I wish to express very special thanks to my lovely wife (Jin Hee Park) and my daughter (Julie Yeeun Kang) for their patience during the time it has taken for this research to be completed. I also wish for this award to become a small but important congratulatory present for my parents (Dae Shin Kang and Soon Duk Jeong) and my parents-in-law (Yeon Ha Park and Il Soon Kim) in Korea who have supported me spiritually during my studies. Their prayer, love, pride and confidence in me were priceless. I love them and thank them dearly. Finally, this thesis would not have been possible without the love, peace and guidance from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ. iii ABSTRACT Young Koreans and Sport in Australia The thesis uses a modified form of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in analysing sport participation of young Koreans in Australia. The theoretical framework of the thesis is drawn from four theories: Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour (1985); Berry’s acculturation framework (1980; 1997); Vaux et al.’s social support appraisals of family, peer and general social support (1986); and the status of hierarchical leisure constraint theory (Crawford & Godbey, 1987; Crawford, Jackson, & Godbey, 1991). Specifically, the study addressed the following four research questions: (1) What is the nature of sport participation of young Koreans in Australia? How do different groups of young Koreans in Australia differ in their sport participation? (2) How is sport participation of young Koreans in Australia affected by acculturation? (3) How is sport participation influenced by social support? (4) What are the constraining factors that hinder sport participation? The methodology applied to this study was a combination of two different approaches: (a) a questionnaire-based survey carried out with 458 young Koreans (aged 9-25) from the Korean-Australian communities within the Sydney metropolitan region, and (b) as a supplementary tool, semi-structured interviews with young Koreans and their parents who had lived in Australia for at least six months. The findings in relation to the first research question are: (1) soccer was the most popular and commonly preferred sport among young Korean respondents, followed by swimming, basketball, table tennis and taekwondo. Over two thirds of respondents did not participate in sport regularly (or they had not participated in any sport). Respondents were more likely to choose mainstream educational sporting environments, while the educational institution provided the most popular source for their first interest in sport. However, the more popular preference of sport coaches’ cultural background was those from a