Exploring Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivational Drivers in Outdoor Recreational Abseiling Participation
Keywords:
abseiling, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, leisure motivation scale, participationAbstract
Abseiling is an adventurous outdoor activity that requires both physical and mental resilience.
Understanding the underlying motivational factors driving participation in abseiling is essential for
promoting engagement and improving program effectiveness. This study investigates the intrinsic and
extrinsic motivational influences on individuals who take part in abseiling. A total of 357 participants
were surveyed using the Leisure Motivation Scale (LMS-28) to assess their reasons for participation.
The findings indicate that experience stimulation (M = 4.47, SD = 1.24) was the strongest intrinsic
motivator, highlighting the importance of excitement and personal enjoyment. Among extrinsic factors,
identified regulation motivation (M = 4.40, SD = 1.17) was the most significant, suggesting that
individuals engage in abseiling due to perceived personal growth and recognition. Additionally,
Pearson correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between intrinsic motivation
and participation (r = .512, p < .01), and a weaker but significant correlation for extrinsic motivation
(r = .298, p < .05). These results emphasize that while the thrill of the experience plays a vital role,
external factors such as social support and acknowledgment also influence participation. The study
suggests that adventure sports organizers should incorporate elements that enhance both personal
challenge and social motivation to attract a broader range of participants. By tailoring programs to
meet these motivational drivers, participation rates and retention in abseiling can be improved.
References
Aisling, B. (2023). Abseiling Instructor Dies After Falling 40Metres in Front of Students. NCA
NewsWire.
Brown, & Williams, R. (2021). Psychological and social drivers behind abseiling participation.
Adventure Sports Psychology, 14(2), 87–99.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior.
Springer.
Eccles, J. S., & Wigfield, A. (2002). Motivational beliefs, values, and goals. Annual Review of
Psychology, 53(1), 109–132. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135153
Hill, R., & Clark, M. (2017). The evolution of abseiling as a recreational sport. Journal of Outdoor
Education, 9(3), 112–126.
Johnson, T., & Anderson, P. (2018). Safety Protocols in Outdoor Recreational Activities. Journal of
Adventure Education, 23(1), 43–56.
Jones, S., & Davies, M. (2018). Media portrayal and its impact on adventure sports. Outdoor Media
Journal, 5(4), 221–234.
Kekäläinen, T., et al. (2022). Motivation in outdoor activities: A study based on Self-Determination
Theory. Scandinavian Journal of Sport Sciences, 14(3), 45–58.
Long, J. (2019). Technical skills and safety in abseiling. Mountaineering Skills Journal, 11(2), 56–67.
Malay Mail. (2016). Woman injured in abseiling accident at Gunung Anak Gua Tempurung. Malay
Mail News.
McCracken, G. (2024). Abseiling injuries and safety concerns: A global perspective. International
Journal of Outdoor Recreation, 8(1), 23–45.
Petersen, S., & Smith, R. (2021). Barriers to outdoor recreation: Socioeconomic and cultural
perspectives. Journal of Outdoor Education, 14(1), 76–89.
Robinson, D., & Hall, S. (2019). Understanding Motivation in Adventure Sports. Routledge.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New
Directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 54–67.
Smith, T., & Jackson, R. (2018). Abseiling: History and modern applications. Adventure Tourism
Review, 7(2), 102–118.
Taylor, P., & Parker, L. (2020). Risk perception in adventure sports. Journal of Risk and Adventure,
(3), 67–80.
Thompson, J., & Jenkins, R. (2022). Decline in abseiling participation: Trends and implications.
Outdoor Industry Report, 11(4), 45–59.
White, J., & Jackson, T. (2019). Risk and motivation in adventure sports. Journal of Outdoor
Adventure, 16(2), 93–105.
Williams, R., & Johnson, M. (2018). Perception of risk in adventure sports. Sports and Risk
Management Journal, 22(4), 78–94.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Farid Hilmi Aidit, Nur Nassrullah A Halim, Adam Afif Mohamad Azmi, Muhammad Faizal Kutip
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
