The Spirit of the Appalachian Trail: Community, Environment, and Belief

Appendix II. Tables of Personal Values

AppendiX ii TABleS of perSonAl VAlueS Table II.1 The fifteen statements with the highest overall ratings from the personal experience section of the hiker survey. Statement % very true or true (or untrue or very untrue for negative statements) Mean rating Domain Enhanced by mileage Enhanced by prayer/ meditation This trip produced many interesting events and experiences. 93 4.65 Envir Yes** No The natural environment on this trip is pleasing. 89 4.53 Envir No No I really enjoyed myself on this trip. 89 4.51 Pers Yes* No This trip was a learning experience 88 4.50 Envir Yes** No This trip has given me a sense of accomplishment . 87 4.50 Pers No No This trip has improved my physical fitness. 85 4.48 Pers Yes* No I have made new friends on this trip. 84 4.45 Comm Yes** No Being away from home has harmed my relationships with my family. (negative) 85 1.60 Comm No No Appendix ii 220 Table II.1 (cont.) Statement % very true or true (or untrue or very untrue for negative statements) Mean rating Domain Enhanced by mileage Enhanced by prayer/ meditation This trip has given me time to think about my relationships with other people. 82 4.39 Comm No Pre* On* This trip has given me time to think about personal problems or concerns. 80 4.37 Perso No No The large number of hikers on this route interfered with my trail experience. (negative) 82 1.69 Comm No No This trip has changed my life for the better. 77 4.22 Pers Yes** Pre** On* This trip caused me to doubt my own abilities . (negative) 79 1.80 Pers Yes* Neg. Pre* Neg. Overnight accommodations have been unpleasant or uncomfortable . (negative) 77 1.90 Envir Yes* Neg. No This trip has provided relief from daily stresses. 71 4.05 Pers Yes* No I often feel bored on the trail. (negative) 9 2.00 Pers No No Note: Included are the environmental, communal and personal domain. A high proportion of these variables are positively correlated to the mileage walked during the current trip. “Neg.” the greater the mileage or prayer the lower the rating of the statement. Table II.2 The relationship of prior backpacking experience to outcomes. Personal, community or environmental outcome Negative correlations with prior long distance hiking experience Prior backpacking Continuous time on Trail Total Trail mileage This trip has given me time to think about personal problems or concerns -.185** .062 .117 The more time I spent on this trip, the more I learned about caring for the trail environment -.169** .130 .184* This trip has given me time to think about my relationship to other people -.153* .049 .114 This trip has provided relief from daily stresses -.144* .124 .169* Note: The table displays correlation coefficients. The more backpacking experience AT hiker have, the less likely they are to report they are contemplating personal problems or experiencing relief from stress. (p=.05*, p=.01**). ...