PERCEPTION OF SAFETY AND OUTDOOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES: DOES PLACE ATTACHMENT MATTERS?

Gaining insight into how people view their daily routines and engage with their surrounding environments is critical in shaping decisions regarding outdoor physical activity. This research investigates a framework for the direct and indirect effects of students’ perceptions of their university surroundings on their participation in outdoor physical activities. A total of 269 students participated in this study. Findings reveal that place attachment may mediate the relationship between safety perception and outdoor physical activity. This study suggests that universities should enhance students’ living environments by adopting safe environmental designs. Campus planning schemes should provide facilities that foster place attachment and encourage social interactions.