Testing the associations between climbers’ characteristics and motivations with various levels of self-determination

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the association between rock climbers’ differences and SDT motivations. Past studies have investigated how the skills, experiences, and genders of individuals participating in adventure recreation link with their preferred motives in adventure recreation. Using SDT as the theoretical framework, motivation indicates the extent climbers internalized the values of rock climbing. 486 climbers with various skill and experience levels participated in this study. The model testing partly supported that skills and experiences were positively associated with intrinsic and identified motivations but were negatively associated with extrinsic motivation. The findings not only enrich the understanding of motivations of AR but provide support that a diverse range of participants can benefit from AR experiences through the concept of self-determination.