Satisfaction derived through leisure involvement and setting attachment

This investigation examined the effect of activity involvement and place attachment on leisure satisfaction among three groups of hikers along the Appalachian Trail (AT). The three groups differed in the type of setting they perceived they had visited along the AT; wilderness, semi-wilderness, and undeveloped recreation area (p<.05). It was hypothesized that the opportunity to enjoy the activity and setting would be sources of satisfaction among respondents. It was also hypothesized that these effects would be strongest among wilderness hikers. Results indicated that only the attraction dimension of activity involvement and place identity dimension of place attachment were significant predictors of hikers' satisfaction (p<.05). Further, the type of setting visited did not impact the strength of these effects. These results illustrate that the intrinsic elements of the activity and setting can be a source of satisfaction alone.