On-site optimal experiences and their relationship to off-site benefits

This paper examines: (a) the quantity of optimal experiences got during the on-site phase of outdoor recreation; (b) the quantity of benefits gotten off-site, during the recollection phase of outdoor recreation; and (c) the relationship between (a) and (b). Optimal experiences-a psychological state considered to be special, meaningful, and/or out-of-the-ordinary-are characterized by intense focus on a stimulus, an altered sense of time; and loss of-consciousness of the self. A three item scale, part of an on-site questionnaire, was developed to measure the quantity of optimal experiences outdoor recreationists reported getting. The quantity of benefits recollected off-site was measured using a follow-up, mail-out questionnaire (n = 169). Regression analyses found significant relationships between the quantity of optimal experiences and the quantity of three benefit categories. With the higher meaning and social interaction benefit categories, the relationships were quadratic; indicating that high quantities of optimal experience produced higher quantities of these benefit categories vs. very low, low, moderate, and very high quantities of optimal experience. This type of relationship suggests that very high quantities of optimal experiences may result in disbenefits-possibly due to the addictive nature of very high quantities of optimal experiences. With the greater knowledge benefit category, the relationship was cubic; indicating that very low and high quantities of optimal experiences may produce higher quantities of this benefit category vs. low, moderate, and very high quantities of optimal experiences. Management implications and research recommendations are discussed.