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Research in Outdoor Education

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to investigate and document the cycle of mood states displayed by outdoor recreation expedition participants. It was hypothesized that an individual's moods pass through a predictable cycle during the beginning, middle, and end phases of a 3-week to 5-week outdoor expedition.This cycle would include fluctuations in mood states such as anger/hostility, confusion/bewilderment, de­pression/dejection, fatigue, tension/anxiety, and vigor. It was anticipated that ten­sion/anxiety would be high in the beginning, medium to high in the middle, and then low at the end. Depression/dejection was ex­pected to be low in the beginning, high in the middle, and medium to low at the end. Anger/hostility was hypothesized to low in the beginning, high in the middle, and low at the end. Vigor/activity was anticipated to be high in the beginning, low in the middle, and high at the end. It was expected that fa­tigue/inertia would be high in the beginning, low in the middle, and then medium to low at the end. Finally, confusion/bewilderment was predicted to be high in the beginning, then I.ow in the middle and end.

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