The Effect of Outdoor Recreation on Self-Image

Abstract

Through outdoor recreation activities, challenge is provided by the environment and not by other people; the sense of competition between individuals is virtually nonexistant, enabling an individual to be more aware of himself and the personal challenges he must face. Knowing he has overcome a certain challenge under his own power and skill provides him with a sense of satisfaction and well-being. An aspect of outdoor recreation which has recently grown in significance, is the relationship between outdoor recreation and a persons attitude about himself. The purpose of this study was to assess an attitudinal change within an individual after they have participated in an extended outdoor recreation experience, as measured by the Semantic Differential Technique. Data collected from this study will help to better understand various factors involved in an outdoor recreation experience and their effect on a persons self-image.