Recreational preferences and motivational factors among adults in the Precarpathian region

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Recreational activity among adults is an important factor in maintaining physical fitness, emotional balance, and social interaction. It contributes to the restoration of bodily resources, reduction of stress levels, and enhancement of subjective well-being. Although the Recreation Experience Preference (REP) scale is widely used to assess recreational motives and experiences, its application in regional and age-specific contexts remains a subject of practical interest. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary exploratory assessment of the internal consistency and item-level coherence of a short-form adapted REP scale in an adult sample from the Precarpathian region.

Materials and Methods. The study was conducted among adults from the Precarpathian region who participated in recreational and wellness programs. The sample included 19 individuals (5 men and 14 women) aged 25 to 60 years. An adapted Ukrainian version of the Recreation Experience Preference (REP) scale comprising 10 items was used to assess recreational preferences. Responses were rated on a five-point scale ranging from 1 (“not important at all”) to 5 (“very important”). Data were collected using an online questionnaire (Google Forms); participation was voluntary and anonymous. Statistical analysis included calculation of means and standard deviations. The reliability of the scale was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and internal coherence at the item level was examined using Spearman’s correlations between individual items and the total score.

Results. The analysis revealed that the adapted REP scale demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.89) and coherent item–total associations (Spearman ρ = 0.302–0.911), indicating satisfactory internal homogeneity at an exploratory level. Due to the small sample size (n = 19), no conclusions regarding factorial structure can be drawn. The highest mean values were recorded for items related to psychological recovery and a sense of inner balance. Women rated emotional and social aspects of recreational activity as more significant, whereas men emphasized achievement and development motives. Descriptive differences across gender and age groups were observed; however, given the small sample size (n = 19), these findings should be interpreted cautiously and cannot be considered conclusive.

Conclusions. The obtained results demonstrate high internal consistency and coherent item-level associations of the adapted REP short form in this exploratory pilot sample. The observed pattern of item responses reflects the diversity of motivational and emotional aspects associated with personal development, recovery, and social interaction; however, no structural factor interpretation can be inferred from the present data. The instrument may be considered for exploratory use in pedagogical and health-promotion contexts, pending further large-scale psychometric validation.