Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the behaviors and preferences of university student-generation Z members towards outdoor activities based on the theory of leisure constraints. Methods: In this study, qualitative research methods and phenomenological design were adopted to reveal the behaviors and preferences of Z generation members towards recreational activities in depth. Content analysis was performed on 95 data obtained by convenience sampling. Results: The push-pull model developed was adapted as five themes in the context of recreation: social, physical, environmental, personal requirements, and spiritual regeneration-health. The strategies for coping with the constraints existing in the literature exactly overlap with the aggregate dimensions suggested in this research, and the difference in the context of outdoor recreation is based on the theme. The avoidance-ignoring theme is handled under the cognitive strategy aggregate dimension, while the behavioral strategy aggregate dimension comprises personal skills, environmental, social, planning, and financial themes. In addition, the classification of experience gained in the context of tourism as triple effects (immediate, destination, and global) has been expanded in the context of recreation by adding a new experience effect (individual-personal). Implications: The research outputs obtained through content analyses will provide concrete data for relevant literature and recreation industry stakeholders.

SUBMITTED: JUL 2023, 1st REVISION SUBMITTED: OCT. 2023, 2nd REVISION SUBMITTED: JAN 2024, ACCEPTED: FEB 2024, REFEREED ANONYMOUSLY JEL Classification: L83, Q26, M31