Changes in perceived risk and competence during rock climbing

The purpose of this research was to: (1) measure changes in perceived risk and competence and (2) identify the components of perceived risk and competence among novice clients participating in a two-day rock climbing instructional program. Sixty-six clients completed the Dimensions of an Experience (DAE) survey prior to and immediately following the two-day program. Clients responded to thirteen items measuring perceived risk, thirteen items measuring perceived competence, and seven items measuring rock climbing self-efficacy. For the purposes of this study, it was hypothesized that perceived risk would decrease, while perceived competence and rock climbing self-efficacy would increase from pre-test to posttest. Contrary to what was expected, increases were observed in nine of the adjective pairs associated with perceived risk with five of the increases statistically significant. As expected, increases were observed on nine of the twelve adjective pairs associated with perceived competence with nine of the increases statistically significant. All seven items measuring change in rock climbing self-efficacy increased from pre-test to posttest. Six of the seven increases associated with rock climbing self-efficacy were statistically significant. To determine the components of risk and competence, a factor analysis was conducted separately on the pre-test and posttest observations. The results of this analysis showed a change in both the number of factors and a change in the arrangement of perceived risk and perceived competence items from pre-test to posttest. Also, these results indicated that clients may have a more clear understanding of the real risks associated with rock climbing while perceiving themselves to be more competent as climbers.