The relationship between negative addiction to running and running enjoyment amongst black Zulu-speaking South African runners: an exploratory study

Abstract

A survey research design was employed to explore the relationship between negative addiction to running and running enjoyment, amongst black, Zulu-speaking South African runners. Translated versions of the Biographical Information Questionnaire (Leask, 1997), Negative Addiction Scale (Hailey & Bailey, 1982), and Running Enjoyment Questionnaire (Basson & Macpherson, 1998) were administered to an opportunity sample of 79 black, Zulu-speaking South African runners, drawn from athletic clubs in the Durban and Pietermaritzburg regions of KwaZulu-Natal. On the basis of their negative addiction scale scores, runners were assigned to either a high (n=23), moderate (n=35), or low addiction group (n=21). Significant relationships were found between running dependence and all four sources of running enjoyment. In addition, length of running history and the importance placed by the participant on the running activity were shown to play a role in both running dependence and enjoyment processes. For black South African runners, both intrinsic and achievement running enjoyment sources were more motivating than extrinsic or non-achievement factors. Extrinsic and achievement factors were more motivating for black South African runners compared to Macpherson's (1998) sample of white runners. These results were discussed with reference to the literature on running dependence, running commitment, and cultural influences on motivation.


(S. African J. for Research in Sport, Physical Ed. and Recreation: 2001 23 (2): 73-88)