Examining Flow in Adaptive Sport and Recreation: Validating the Flow State Scale-2

Authors

  • David Paul Loy East Carolina University
  • Cari Autry East Carolina University
  • Emily Warner California Correctional Health Care Services

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2025-V59-I3-12629

Keywords:

Flow, optimal experience, adaptive sport, adaptive recreation

Abstract

Optimal experience, or “flow,” is considered a positive psychological state frequently evident in leisure, sports, and recreation (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975, 1990; Jackson, 1995; Kleiber, 1999). According to Csikszentmihalyi, flow is experienced similarly by everyone, regardless of gender, age, culture, or activity (Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2012). However, very few researchers have examined how the concept of flow is measured and experienced in the context of disability. More recently, disability has become a focus for research using the Flow State Scale-2, but psychometric data are lacking overall (Ottiger et al., 2021; Swaine et al. 2020). This study provides evidence that individuals with disabilities do experience components for flow and the Flow State Scale-2 may provide a valid method of capturing potential outcomes of adaptive sport and recreation programs. Further conceptual determinants and challenges to the flow experience within the context of disability are also mentioned. 

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Published

2025-07-23

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Research Papers

License

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