INVESTIGATION OF THE SOCIALIZATION LEVELS OF INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN TREKKING WALKS AS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the socialization levels of individuals participating in recreational nature sports walks according to various variables. Methods: As a research design, the comparison type relationship model within the scope of relational screening, one of the screening models of the quantitative approach, was used. The population of the study consists of individuals who participate in recreational nature walks. The sample group consists of participants living in different provinces of Turkey. The sampling group was obtained by the convenience sampling method. A total of 383 individuals, 279 men and 104 women, participated in the study. The "Socialization Scale for the Hearing Impaired", whose validity and reliability study was conducted by Karakullukçu (2020), was used as the measurement tool. Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test was applied to the data obtained, and although the results obtained did not show a normal distribution, when the skewness and kurtosis values were examined, it was accepted that the data had a normal distribution because they were between -3 and +3. In light of these results, independent sample test (T-test) and one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) were applied to the data obtained. According to the results of the data analysis, Welch values were taken into consideration depending on the homogeneity assumption of the data and Tukey test, one of the Post Hoc tests, was applied as a second level test. Findings were evaluated according to the significance value of p<0.05. Findings: While there were no significant differences according to gender, age and profession variables, significant differences were found according to the variables of education level, economic status, regular sports and hiking experience. Conclusion: The socialization competence of individuals who experience outdoor sports (trekking) varies according to various variables. It is important to raise awareness that the socialization aspects of participants in outdoor sports can be positively affected.