The Constraint Negotiation Process Among Female Hunters: The Role of Self-efficacy, Motivations, and Social Support
Open Access
- Author:
- Covelli, Elizabeth Anna
- Graduate Program:
- Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- April 06, 2011
- Committee Members:
- Alan R Graefe, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Alan R Graefe, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Andrew Justin Mowen, Committee Member
Deborah Lee Kerstetter, Committee Member
James Craig Finley, Committee Member - Keywords:
- Hunter Retention
Hunter Recruitment
Outdoor Recreation
Female Hunters - Abstract:
- The benefits of hunting for natural resource management are well documented in the literature. There has been a steady decline in hunting participation over the past decades and it is increasingly important for natural resource managers to develop innovative ways to recruit and retain hunters. One potential approach is by understanding females who have seen an upward trend in hunting participation. This study examined female hunters and factors that contribute to hunting participation including constraints, negotiation strategies, motivations, social support, and self-efficacy. Data for this study were collected using a mail survey of Oregon big game hunters. The first chapter provides an introduction and conceptual framework for the study. Results are then presented in three distinct chapters, and summarized in chapter 5. Chapter 2 examines a typology of female hunters and how they differ across constraint and negotiation strategies. Four types of hunters emerged and included the less-engaged hunter, family oriented hunter, social-relax hunter, and the all around enthusiast hunter. Significant differences existed among the types of hunters on both constraints and negotiation strategies. Chapter 3 compares male and female hunters across constraints, negotiation strategies, motivations, social support, and self efficacy. A series of tests were conducted to understand the relationship between key variables and hunting participation. There were limited differences between females and males. Results suggest constraints were not a predictor of participation. Additionally, motivations, social support, and self-efficacy had an indirect influence on hunting participation. Chapter 4 focuses on expanding constraint theory by incorporating self-efficacy into the constraint negotiation process. Findings suggest constraints are fully mitigated by negotiation strategies and are not a predictor of participation. Results indicate self-efficacy is a predictor of participation along with negotiation strategies and motivations. Overall findings from the study indicate females are not as constrained in hunting as previously thought. Females have found ways to negotiate through constraints and are motivated to participate. Additionally, females are confident in their hunting and feel they have the social support from family and friends. Future research is needed to examine those females who are new to hunting or are thinking about starting the activity.