Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is (i) a correlation among acculturation modes (assimilation, integration, separation, marginalization), demographic characteristics (gender, age, length of residence, language proficiency), ethno-cultural identity and social support (family, peer and general social support); (ii) difference in the frequency of ethnically-based sport participation according to demographic characteristics, ethno-cultural identity, social support and acculturation modes; and (iii) difference in ethnically-based sport participation environment according to acculturation modes. A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 458 young Koreans who were staying in Sydney, Australia. The statistical method adopted for the data analysis were frequency, percentile, mean, standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, hierarchical multiple regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson’s correlations. Major findings were as follows: 1) There was a partially significant relationship between acculturation modes, age, length of residence, language proficiency, ethno-cultural identity and social support factors. 2) There was a significant difference in the frequency of ethnically-based sport participation according to gender, age, length of residence, Korean language proficiency (male subjects only), and Korean-cultural identity(female subjects only). 3) There was a significant difference in the frequency of ethnically-based sport participation according to friend support, however, assimilation was the best predictor when social support factors were controlled. 4) There was a significant difference in the frequency and environment of ethnically-based sport participation according to assimilation, integration, and separation.