<p> This study assessed the motivation and interest in outdoor recreation activities as facilitated by a campus recreation center. The sample consisted of college students enrolled in recreation and kinesiology general education courses at a four-year public California university, and student users of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The study assessed each student's previous twelve month participation in outdoor recreation activities, their preference of who they would like to participate in these activities with, the reasons why they participate in outdoor recreation activities, and demographic information. The questionnaire used to collect data was the Motives for Physical Activities Measure – Revised (MPAM – R) modified to MPAM – R + Nature, which assessed the motivational factors of Interest/Enjoyment, Competence, Appearance, Fitness, Social, and, Affinity for Nature. </p><p> Results revealed that there was not a difference in the six motivational factors and high versus low motivation to participate in outdoor recreation activities. However, when respondents were grouped as having a high score on intrinsic factors (interest/enjoyment, competence, nature, and social) versus high scores on the extrinsic factors (fitness and appearance), those respondents who were highly motivated showed more interest in outdoor recreation participation. The research also showed most respondents preferred participating with friends or in groups, regardless of the outdoor activity. The evidence from this study suggests that students who are interested in outdoor recreation activities are not distinct or unique based on demographic variables. However, the results did reveal that males were more motivated by competence. Overall, students who participate in outdoor recreation activity are motivated more by companionship preferences. This research supports the idea that social interactions, whether with friends or with a group or class, are important to students.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:1527338 |
| Date | 08 April 2014 |
| Creators | Rayburn, Pamela J. |
| Publisher | California State University, Long Beach |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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