Death anxiety in outdoor-adventure recreation

This study investigated the death anxiety (DA) scores of participants in outdoor-adventure recreational (OAR) activities, and the relationship of the DA scores to several demographic features and experience of DA. The study included 589 individuals with various leisure-time OAR experience levels (131 women, 458 men; Mage=29.79±9.64). Their sports included climbing (n=200), scuba diving (n=142), and paragliding (n=247). DA was measured by the Thorson-Powell Death Anxiety Scale. Overall, the DA scores were low, with no significant differences between OAR activities. However, the DA scores were affected by age and gender, and length of OAR experience. More specifically, the DA scores were highest for 18-28-year-old participants, women, and participants with 4-6 years of middle-level OAR experience. Previous negative DA experiences did not increase the DA scores.

Underlying Motives for Selected Adventure Recreation Activities: The Case for Eudaimonics and Hedonics

One of the interesting behaviors practiced by citizens across the globe is the pursuit of outdoor recreational activities featuring elements of personal risk and danger. These types of activities are now becoming a global mainstay for many individuals, economies, and organizations. This study examined the underlying motivations and subsequent behaviors associated with risk-taking recreational activities and used the concepts of eudaimonics and hedonics to examine the motivations for participation from individuals engaging in three different adventure activities occurring in eight different locations. Recruitment took place in several forms, including in-person solicitation of participants at the activity areas, which consisted of mountain biking trailheads, rock climbing areas, and whitewater sites. Data were collected from three popular outdoor adventure activities (OAAs), including mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater boating. This study employed the use of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to investigate the relationship between two independent variable sets, including (1) the activity type, and (2) the level of experience, gender, type of activity, and the dependent variables of the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities (HEMA) scale (eudaimonic and hedonic). In addition, a cumulative odds ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds was utilized to determine the effects of expertise level and activity type on reported eudaimonic and hedonic motivations. A qualitative interview process was utilized to further investigate participant responses surrounding eudaimonic and hedonic motivational perspectives. The results indicated slight variations in experience level in the underlying motivations. Furthermore, qualitative inquiry revealed several motivation categories and diversity in the way those motivations were present throughout the recreation activity.

Cable Wakeboarding for the First Time: How Young People Make Sense of Risk in Adventure Recreation

Cable wakeboarding can be defined as a risky adventure recreation activity in which young people are the primary participants. Based on interviews and observations focusing on cable wakeboarding in Sweden, young people’s understanding of the risks associated with this activity was analysed. According to the thematic content analysis of the interview transcripts and field notes, the participants’ interpretations of risk were related to the social/spatial context of the adventure recreation activity. Furthermore, the analysis resulted in the identification of two themes: the content of the cable wakeboarding information and procedures, and the city beach community. Overall, the participants’ sense-making of risk in adventure recreation was explored and found to be framed by local attachment and a combination of individualistic and collectivistic perspectives of risk.

Investigation of the Relationship Between the Dominant Brain Areas, Risk-Taking and Alexithymia of Outdoor Adventure Recreation Participants

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between dominant brain areas, alexithymia and risk-taking behavior levels of nature and adventure recreation participants. The study was carried out on 652 outdoor adventure recreation participants in different categories (air, land, water) between the years 2016–2017. After meeting normality and homogeneity of data obtained from participants of nature and adventure recreation, it was based on the mediator influence analysis method, which was established by Baron and Kenny (1986, 1176), in order to determine whether alexithymia and extrovert thinking play a mediator role in the relationship between brain dominance and risk-taking behavior. In addition, the significance of stepwise regression analysis results was checked by Sobel Test. The results show that nature and adventure recreation participants with a high level of alexithymia and with extrovert personality tend to take more risks.