A qualitative investigation of the intersection of leisure and identity among high school students: application of grounded theory

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine leisure as a context for identity formation among the high school students in Shiraz, Iran. Twenty male students (3rd grade of secondary school) from different high schools participated in this study. Data analysis using qualitative grounded theory methodology yielded eight categories and a core category. The categories led to the conclusion that post-traditional context and resource of leisure time culminated in reflexivity in the participants’ identity.