Validation of the Recreational Awareness Scale among ukrainian students under wartime conditions

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Recreational activity contributes to the restoration of psychological balance and social adaptation of students under conditions of military-related stress. During the war in Ukraine, physical and leisure activities are considered important means of maintaining well-being and personal resilience. At the same time, the influence of various forms of recreation implemented in the educational environment on awareness of recreational activity remains an issue of practical interest. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of students’ awareness of recreational activity and to examine the psychometric properties of the Ukrainian version of the Recreational Awareness Scale (RAS). Materials and Methods. The study involved 89 university students from Eastern Ukraine (n = 53) and Western Ukraine (n = 36). All participants were enrolled in programs related to physical education, sports recreation, or health-oriented physical activity. Data were collected online using the Google Forms platform. The survey was conducted between February and March 2024. The Ukrainian adapted version of the Recreational Awareness Scale (RAS) was applied. The questionnaire consisted of 41 items grouped into three aspects: Pleasure/Fun, Social/Success, and Self-improvement. Responses were rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Statistical data processing was performed using the Python programming language. Non-parametric methods were applied, with the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results. Data analysis demonstrated satisfactory reliability and internal consistency of the Recreational Awareness Scale (RAS). High positive correlations were identified among the Pleasure/Fun, Social/Success, and Self-improvement aspects. Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from r = 0.82 to 0.95. All correlations were statistically significant at p < 0.001. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the three-factor structure of the RAS. Model fit indices indicated excellent fit, with CFI = 1.00 and TLI = 1.00. The RMSEA value was 0.00, and SRMR did not exceed 0.01. Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.86 to 0.99, with all loadings being statistically significant at p < 0.001. Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between students from Eastern and Western Ukraine across all RAS aspects. In all cases, p-values exceeded 0.05. Similar results were obtained when comparing male and female students, with no statistically significant gender differences observed. Analysis of differences between students of different academic years also revealed no statistically significant effects, as all p-values exceeded 0.05. The findings indicate a comparable level of recreational activity awareness across the analyzed subgroups. Conclusions. The Ukrainian version of the Recreational Awareness Scale (RAS) can be used to assess students’ awareness of recreational activity. The results indicate comparable levels of recreational awareness regardless of region of residence or gender. Recreational activity may be considered one of the components of students’ adaptive processes under wartime conditions.