Predictions for activity involvement via PERMA well-being model in mountain climbing-hiking participants on Mt.Olympus

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate predictions for activity involvement per PERMA well-being model in outdoor activities such as mountain climbing-hiking on Mt.Olympus. Specifically, in the last 30 years, thousands of nature lovers/naturalists have been visiting this legendary mountain to admire up close its unfathomable natural beauty, wander in its trails and plateaus, and conquer its summits. For this research, we gathered date from participants in mountain climbing-hiking on Mt.Olympus. The total sample was 200 participants (N=200). For the measurement of well-being, we used the questionnaire by Kern et al. (2015), which encompasses five elements: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. To measure the involvement, we used the scale by Kyle and Chick (2002) and investigated three parameters namely attraction (3 questions), centrality (3 questions) and self-expression (3 questions). It seems that mountain climbing continues to be an activity enjoyed mainly by ages over 30 years. Substantial average scores were noted for Attraction (mean =5,7), which refers to the pleasure the individual feels when participating in an outdoor leisure activity, and for Self-expression (mean=4,8), referring to the potential for validation of the individual through their participation in an activity. The PERMA model was a significant contributory factor for predictions in all three involvement parameters.