Satisfaction statements and the study of angling in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Using a slightly modified version of a list of satisfaction statements developed by Hawes (1978), and a piloted interview guide, a study was undertaken of a quota sample (N = 304) of coarse, sea, and game anglers in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Results indicated that there is a common range of satisfactions sought from the three types of angling. These included active factors such as adventure and excitement, uncertainty and chance to develop a skill, and a group of factors concerned with mental relaxation, such as peace of mind, chance to be alone, and enjoy nature. Contact with friends was also found to be important. At the same time important differences exist in the blend of satisfactions looked for by coarse, game, and sea anglers.

For sea anglers the active factors of “uncertainty and adventure and excitement” are more important to the group as a whole than the peaceful factors of “peace of mind” and “alone in a peaceful spot.” In coarse and game angling, “active” and “peaceful” factors are intermingled in the most prevalent statements.

Likewise, differences exist in the blend looked for by the “under” compared with the “over” 24 years of age. For the under 24s, the active statements “adventure and excitement” and “chance to develop a skill” are more important to the group than peaceful factors, whereas for the over 24s, active and peaceful factors are again intermingled in the most prevalent statements. Differences exist between the findings in this study and those in North America. Escape behavior was stated far less in the U.K. study as a reason for participation than in similar North American studies.

Key words:

• leisure
• angling
• motivation
• satisfactions
• approach‐avoidance
• escape
• mental relaxation
• cross‐cultural comparisons