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Journals / The Online Journal of Recreation and Sports / 2026 / Cilt: 15 Sayı: 1

Participants' Views on the Effect of Nature Walks as a Serious Leisure Activity on Psychological Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study

Ciddi Serbest Zaman Etkinliği Olarak Doğa Yürüyüşü Yapan Katılımcıların Psikolojik İyi Oluş Üzerine Etkisine Dair Görüşleri: Bir Fenomenoloji Çalışması

Raşit Karaca(KIRIKKALE ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-1841-1978
Ecemsu Kaya0000-0002-7038-8595
Ece Deniz Ünal0009-0001-4146-7729
Pages
51–62
Publication Date
2026-02-03
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, nature walks are an important leisure activity that supports participants' psychological well-being by satisfying their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to examine the views of participants who engage in nature walks as a serious leisure activity regarding their psychological well-being.
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Key Findings & Data:In terms of sample selection, the criterion sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling strategies, was used.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, nature walks are an important leisure activity that supports participants' psychological well-being by satisfying their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Ciddi Serbest Zaman · doğa yürüyüşü · psikolojik iyi oluş

Abstract

This study aims to examine the views of participants who engage in nature walks as a serious leisure activity regarding their psychological well-being. To explain the problem situation, interpretative phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. In terms of sample selection, the criterion sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling strategies, was used. Eight participants, including three women and five men, volunteered to participate in the study from a sports club located in Kırıkkale province. The participants' experiences were obtained through semi-structured interview questions. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA 24 program. The research findings were divided into five themes: Integration with nature and search for meaning, emotional healing and mental balance, personal awareness and ınner discovery, strengthening social bonds, and stress reduction and mental clarity. In conclusion, nature walks are an important leisure activity that supports participants' psychological well-being by satisfying their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Özet

Bu araştırmada ciddi serbest zaman etkinliği olarak doğa yürüyüşü yapan katılımcıların psikolojik iyi oluşlarına dair görüşlerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma da problem durumunu açıklayabilmek için nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden bir tanesi olan yorumlayıcı fenomenolojik desen kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada örneklem seçiminde ise, amaçlı örnekleme stratejilerinden ölçüt örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmaya Kırıkkale ilinde bulunan bir spor kulübü üyelerinden 3 kadın 5 erkek toplamda 8 kişi gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Katılımcıların deneyimleri yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme soruları ile elde edilmiştir. Veriler MAXQDA 24 programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma bulguları beş temaya ayrılmıştır: Doğa ile bütünleşme ve anlam arayışı, duygusal iyileşme ve ruh dengelenmesi, kişisel farkındalık ve içsel keşif, sosyal bağların güçlenmesi ve stres azaltma ve zihinsel berraklık. Sonuç olarak, doğa yürüyüşlerinin katılımcıların özerklik, yeterlik ve ilişkilenme ihtiyaçlarını tatmin ederek psikolojik iyi oluşlarını destekleyen önemli bir ciddi serbest zaman etkinliği olduğunu göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Karaca, R., Kaya, E., Ünal, E. D. (2026). Participants' Views on the Effect of Nature Walks as a Serious Leisure Activity on Psychological Well-Being: A Phenomenological Study. The Online Journal of Recreation and Sports, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 1, 51–62. https://doi.org/10.22282/tojras.1770657

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