“The Water’s Very Nice, Come On!”: The Mediating Role of Event Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Flow Experience and Personal Well-Being

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the mediating role of event satisfaction in the relationship between recreational flow experience and personal well-being in a sample participating in swimming events. A total of 301 volunteers participated in this research, comprising 139 females (46.2%) and 162 males (53.8%). The ages of participants varied from 18-60 years (Meanage = 35.44±7.84). As data collection tools, the Recreational Flow Experience Scale (RFES), Event Satisfaction Scale (ESS), and Personal Well-Being Index-Adult (PWBI-A) were used. In accordance with the basic aim of the study, mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro for data analysis. When the correlation coefficients related to the scales were investigated, statistically moderate and high levels of positive significant correlations were identified between the mean scores for recreational flow experience, event satisfaction, and personal well-being among individuals participating in swimming events (p < 0.01). The analysis results indicate that recreational flow experience had a positive and direct significant effect on personal well-being (β = 0.22; p < 0.01). Additionally, event satisfaction was confirmed to play a mediating role in the relationship between recreational flow experience and personal well-being (β = 0.21; p < 0.01). The results show that individuals regularly participating in swimming events will have increased personal well-being mediated by the satisfaction they obtain from the event by experiencing flow. The study emphasizes the potential of flow experiences and event satisfaction to contribute to the well-being of individuals.

Keywords

• Event satisfaction
• Personal well-being
• Recreational flow experience
• Swimming

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