THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS ON PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL EVENTS

This study analyzes the influence of individual characteristics (gender, age, area of residence) on public participation in cultural events, using the composite variable "Public Participation in Cultural Events and Evaluation of Cultural Events" (PPEC). Based on a sample of 367 respondents from Romania, structural equation modeling (SEM) tested three hypotheses, which assumed that gender, age, and area of residence directly influence cultural participation. The results indicate that no hypothesis was statistically validated (p > 0.05), suggesting that individual characteristics do not have a significant impact on participation in cultural events. These findings partially contradict the specialized literature but are aligned with studies that highlight the importance of contextual factors, such as accessibility and cultural education. The study contributes to understanding cultural behavior in Romania and proposes directions for future research.