UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERUTILIZATION OF THE CAMPUS RECREATION FACILITY: A MIXED-METHODS EXAMINATION OF BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED SATISFACTION, SOCIAL PHYSIQUE ANXIETY, SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BARRIERS

Author

• Caden M. Pfingsten, Fort Hays State UniversityFollow

Department

Health and Human Performance

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

Campus recreation facilities have been identified as important contributors to student well-being, academic persistence, and institutional belonging. Despite these documented benefits, a persistent gap exists between available services and actual student utilization at many institutions. This study examined the psychological, social, and environmental factors associated with students' underutilization of the Campus Recreation Facility (CRF) at a mid-sized Midwestern public university in favor of paid off-campus commercial gym memberships.

Using a cross-sectional survey design, 169 students completed a battery of validated and researcher-adapted instruments assessing basic psychological need satisfaction (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), Sense of Community, and social physique anxiety across seven local fitness facility groups. Perceived barriers to CRF use were also assessed through nine researcher-developed items. Results indicated that crowding, facility size, and equipment limitations were the most frequently endorsed barriers to CRF use. One-way ANOVAs revealed significant between-group differences in autonomy, competence, relatedness, and Sense of Community, with CRF users consistently reporting the lowest scores among all facility groups. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that relatedness was the overwhelmingly dominant predictor of Sense of Community among CRF users (β = .735, R² = .732). Practical recommendations for facility improvement, social programming, and competence-building initiatives are discussed.

Keywords

Self-Determination Theory, Social Physique Anxiety, Sense of Community, campus recreation, basic psychological needs, autonomy, competence, relatedness, fitness facility, exercise motivation, physical environment barriers, crowding, student well-being, student retention, gym selection, underutilization, intrinsic motivation, higher education, BPNES, cross-sectional survey

Advisor

Dr. Justin Montney

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Thesis

DOI

10.58809/TSON3010

Recommended Citation

Pfingsten, Caden M., "UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERUTILIZATION OF THE CAMPUS RECREATION FACILITY: A MIXED-METHODS EXAMINATION OF BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED SATISFACTION, SOCIAL PHYSIQUE ANXIETY, SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BARRIERS" (2026). Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice. 3316.
DOI: 10.58809/TSON3010
Available at: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/3316

Rights

© The Author