Exploring the Influence of Self-Efficacy and Autonomy on Outdoor Recreation Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Sara M. Powell Missouri State University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6175-9852
  • Katheryn E. Carpenter Missouri State University
  • Melinda G. Novik Missouri State University
  • Hugh M. Gibson Missouri State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2023-11212

Keywords:

outdoor recreation, self-efficacy, autonomy, COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Outdoor Recreation (OR) provides the benefits of physical activity and traditional leisure placed in an outdoor environment. Motivation, self-efficacy, and autonomy can increase depending on the physical and social environment. This study explored the relationship between self-efficacy and autonomy on OR behaviors and identified barriers and facilitators to OR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey information was collected from 995 U.S. adults (93.6% white, 64.0% female) regarding OR behaviors, changes in OR during COVID-19, and OR self-perceptions. Significant positive correlations existed between autonomy and self-efficacy (r = 0.138, p < 0.01), and self-efficacy and pre/post pandemic OR behaviors 2020 (r = 0.158, p < 0.01), (r = 0.129, p < 0.01) respectively. Qualitative data implied barriers and facilitators to OR as: social, mental health, and increased or changed OR/physical activity. Implications from this research are beneficial to OR and health professionals to promote overall physical and mental well-being for OR participants.  

References

Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215. doi:10.1037/0033-295x.84.2.191

Bandura, A. (2004). Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Education & Behavior, 31(2), 143-164. doi:10.1177/1090198104263660

CDC. (2020, August 26). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/dotw/covid-19/index.html

CDC. (2020, October 7). Benefits of physical activity. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm

Cortina, J. M. (1993). What is coefficient alpha? An examination of theory and applications. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78(1), 98–104.

Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed). SAGE Publications.

David, W., & Cox, J. (2020, May 21). COVID-19 crisis highlights need for greener parks. Retrieved April 03, 2021, from https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreationmagazine/2020/june/covid-19-crisis-highlights-need-for-greener-parks/

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 54-67. doi:10.1006/ceps.1999.1020

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (Eds.). (2004). Handbook of self-determination research. University of Rochester Press.

Depp, C. A., & Jeste, D. V. (2006). Definitions and predictors of successful aging: A comprehensive review of larger quantitative studies. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14, 6-20.

Eichenberg, C., Grossfurthner, M., Andrich, J., Hübner, L., Kietaibl, S., & Holocher-Benetka, S. (2021). The relationship between the implementation of statutory preventative measures, perceived susceptibility of COVID-19, and personality traits in the initial stage of corona-related lockdown: A German and Austrian population online survey. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 596281.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.596281

Fallahpour, M., Borell, L., Luborsky, M., & Nygård, L. (2016). Leisure-activity participation to prevent later-life cognitive decline: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 23(3), 162-197. doi:10.3109/11038128.2015.1102320

Figueroa, C. A., & Aguilera, A. (2020). The need for a mental health technology revolution in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 523. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00523

Godbey, G. (2009). Outdoor recreation, health, and wellness: Understanding and enhancing the relationship. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.1408694

Guicciardi, M. & Pazzona, R. (2020). The rebooting in sports and physical activities after COVID-19 Italian lockdown: An exploratory study. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-8.

Gunter, B., & Gunter, N. (1980). Leisure styles: A conceptual framework for modern leisure. Sociology Quarterly, 21(3), 361-374. doi:10.1111/j.1533-8525.1980.tb00618

Güzel, P., Yildiz, K., Esentas, M., & Zerengok, D. (2020). " Know-how" to spend time in home isolation during COVID-19; restrictions and recreational activities. International Journal of Psychology and Education Studies, 7, 122–131. doi: 10.17220/ijpes.2020.02.011

Healthday News. (2020, October 20). Pandemic putting Americans under great mental strain: Poll. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://consumer.healthday.com/infectiousdisease-information-21/coronavirus-1008/pandemic-putting-americans-under-greatmental-strain-poll-762304.html

Hossain, M. M., Sultana, A., & Purohit, N. (2020). Mental health outcomes of quarantine and isolation for infection prevention: A systematic umbrella review of the global evidence. Epidemiology and Health, 42, e2020038. doi:10.4178/epih.e2020038

IBM Corp. Released 2016. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.

Jones, J. J., & Hinton, J. L. (2007). Study of self-efficacy in a freshman wilderness experience program: Measuring general versus specific gains. Journal of Experiential Education, 29(3), 382-385. doi:10.1177/105382590702900311

Kim, Y. J., Cho, J. H. & Park, Y. J. (2020). Leisure sports participants’ engagement in preventive health behaviors and their experience of constraints on performing leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 589708.

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.589708

Kyle, G. T., Mowen, A. J. & Tarrant, M. A. (2004). Linking place preferences with place meaning: An examination of the relationship between place motivation and place attachment. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(4), 439-454.

Lotan, M., Merrick, J., & Carmeli, E. (2005). A review of physical activity and well-being. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 17, 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh.2005.17.1.23

Manfredo, M. J., Driver, B. L., & Tarrant, M. A. (1996). Measuring leisure motivation: a metanalysis of the recreation experience preference scales. Journal of Leisure Research, 28, 188–213.

Markland, D., & Tobin, V. (2004). A modification to the behavioral regulation in exercise questionnaire to include an assessment of amotivation. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 26, 191–196. doi:10.1123/jsep.26.2.191

Mittelstaedt, R. D., & Jones, J. J. (2009). Outdoor recreation self-efficacy: Scale development, reliability, and validity. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 1(1), 97-120.

Nesse, R., & Williams, G. (1996). Why we get sick. New York: Vintage Books.

Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Outdoor Foundation. (2018, July 17). Outdoor participation report. Retrieved 2020, from https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.americancanoe.org/resource/resmgr/generaldocuments/2018_outdoor_recreation_part.pdf

Paggi, M. E., Jopp, D., & Hertzog, C. (2016). The importance of leisure activities in the relationship between physical health and well-being in a life span sample. Gerontology, 62(4), 450-458. doi:10.1159/000444415

Parr, M. G., & Lashua, B. D. (2004). What is leisure? The perceptions of recreation practitioners and others. Leisure Sciences, 26(1), 1-17. doi:10.1080/01490400490272512

Phipps, M. (1990, November 30). Definitions of outdoor recreation and other associated terminology. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED335189

Portegijs, E., Rantakokko, M., Mikkola, T. M., Viljanen, A., & Rantanen, T. (2014). Association between physical performance and sense of autonomy in outdoor activities and life-space mobility in community-dwelling older people. Journal of the American

Geriatrics Society, 62(4), 615-621. doi:10.1111/jgs.12763

Sandelowski, M., & Barroso, J. (2007). Handbook for synthesizing qualitative research. Springer Publishing Company.

Sibthorp, J., Paisley, K., Gookin, J., & Furman, N. (2008). The pedagogic value of student autonomy in adventure education. Journal of Experiential Education, 31(2), 136-151.

doi:10.5193/jee.31.2.136

Stebbins, R. A. (2005). Choice and experiential definitions of leisure. Leisure Sciences, 27(4), 349-352. doi:10.1080/01490400590962470

Sweet, S. N., Fortier, M. S., Strachan, S. M., & Blanchard, C. M. (2012). Testing and integrating self-determination theory and self-efficacy theory in a physical activity context.

Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 53(4), 319-327. doi:10.1037/a0030280

Weng, P., & Chiang, Y. (2014). Psychological restoration through indoor and outdoor recreation activities. Journal of Leisure Research, 46(2), 203-217. doi:10.1080/00222216.2014.11950320

White, D. D. (2008). A structural model of leisure constraints negotiation in outdoor recreation. Leisure Sciences, 30(4), 342-359. doi:10.1080/01490400802165131

Downloads

Published

2023-01-30

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Regular Papers

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

Journal Publishing Copyright Agreement for Authors

PLEASE REVIEW OUR POLICIES AND THE PUBLISHING AGREEMENT, AND INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS BY CHECKING THE ‘AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS COPYRIGHT NOTICE’ CHECKBOX BELOW.

I understand that by submitting an article to Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, I am granting the copyright to the article submitted for consideration for publication in Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership to the Copyright Owner. If after consideration of the Editor of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, the article is not accepted for publication, all copyright covered under this agreement will be automatically returned to the Author(s).

THE PUBLISHING AGREEMENT

Assignment of Copyright

I hereby assign to the Copyright Owner the copyright in the manuscript I am submitting in this online procedure and any tables, illustrations or other material submitted for publication as part of the manuscript in all forms and media (whether now known or later developed), throughout the world, in all languages, for the full term of copyright, effective when the article is accepted for publication.

Reversion of Rights

Articles may sometimes be accepted for publication but later be rejected in the publication process, even in some cases after public posting in “Articles in Press” form, in which case all rights will revert to the Author.

Retention of Rights for Scholarly Purposes

I understand that I retain or am hereby granted the Retained Rights. The Retained Rights include the right to use the Preprint, Accepted Manuscript, and the Published Journal Article for Personal Use and Internal Institutional Use.

All journal material is under a 12 month embargo. Authors who would like to have their articles available as open access should contact Sagamore-Venture for further information.

In the case of the Accepted Manuscript and the Published Journal Article, the Retained Rights exclude Commercial Use, other than use by the author in a subsequent compilation of the author’s works or to extend the Article to book length form or re-use by the author of portions or excerpts in other works.

Published Journal Article: the author may share a link to the formal publication through the relevant DOI.

Author Representations

  • The Article I have submitted to the journal for review is original, has been written by the stated author(s) and has not been published elsewhere.
  • The Article was not submitted for review to another journal while under review by this journal and will not be submitted to any other journal.
  • The Article contains no libelous or other unlawful statements and does not contain any materials that violate any personal or proprietary rights of any other person or entity.
  • I have obtained written permission from copyright owners for any excerpts from copyrighted works that are included and have credited the sources in the Article.
  • If the Article was prepared jointly with other authors, I have informed the co-author(s) of the terms of this Journal Publishing Agreement and that I am signing on their behalf as their agent, and I am authorized to do so.