DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-087-0-0091

DEGREE LEVEL AS DIFFERENTIATING FACTOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY IN RECREATIONAL USE OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

Stanislav Azor¹, Štefan Adamčák², Michal Marko³, Ľudmila Kuriplachová¹

¹ Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryk 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia

² Faculty of Sports Science and Health, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Tajovský 40, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

³ Faculty of Performing Arts, Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica, Kollár 22, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Recreational use of natural environment represents an environmentally sensitive area that requires responsible behavior and well-developed environmental sensitivity. The level at which individuals perceive the environmental context of recreation may be associated with their degree level in higher education; therefore, the aim of study was to identify differences in perceptions of environmental challenges and emerging trends in nature-based recreation between bachelor’s and master’s degree students. The research sample consisted of 1,178 university students (bachelor’s, N = 518; master’s, N = 660). Assessments of differences relied on chi-square test with Cramér’s V, followed by multivariable ordinal logistic regression adjusted for gender, age, and type of higher education institution. Analysis of response distributions using the chi-square test showed significant differences (p < .01) between bachelor’s and master’s students across all analyzed items (χ²; small effects - Cramér’s V). Differences involved perceptions of environmental pressure on areas, the environmental challenges associated with the recreational use of nature, and emerging trends in physical activity. After adjustment for control domains, master’s students showed approximately 60% higher odds of rating these aspects more than bachelor’s students. Degree level influenced perceptions of environmental context of recreation. Strengthening environmental education at the bachelor’s level may promote sustainable recreational behavior in natural environments.

Keywords: Higher education, environmental behavior, outdoor recreation, university students

pages: 91-94, Published: 2026, online: 2026