북한이탈주민의 여가제약

Leisure Constraints of North Korean Defectors

This study explores perceived leisure constraints of North Korean defectors using qualitative research approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 North Korean defectors residing in Korea to solicit information pertaining to various leisure constraints they experience. The results show that the prominent leisure constraints among participants fall into intra-, inter-, and structural categories in accordance with the existing constraints theory. Intra-personal constraints include anxiety and survivor guilt which act on suppressing the fundamental desire to participate in any type of leisure activities. Inter-personal constraints indicate the lack of leisure partners and dilemma in establishing a social relationship with other North Korean defectors. Lastly, the structural constraints include the deficiency of money and time, which is typically found in any new immigrants groups. It was also found that the gap between respondents social identity and self-identity deters them from participating in public leisure events. Implications for public policy pertain to devising a supporting system to help this population overcome existing psychological barriers and to construct a desired social identity.