RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLACE ATTACHMENT AND EVENT SATISFACTION: A STUDY ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The aim of the study is to reveal the dimensions of place attachment and to analyze the relationship between event satisfaction and place attachment dimensions. The study involved a quantitative research methodology employing a questionnaire and convenience sampling with a total sample of 300 Anadolu University’s students within Eskişehir of the middle region in Turkey. The first part of the questionnaire contained 16 statements related to place attachment. Second part was related to the scale of event satisfaction, with 4 items. The last part was designed to collect demographic characteristics of respondents. The results of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) reveal three valid dimensions titled as place identity, social bonding, and place dependence, respectively. The reliability coefficients for the total scale and three dimensions indicated high satisfactory levels. The regression analysis also indicates significant relationship between satisfaction with events within the scope of Eskişehir as Turkish World’s Culture Capital and place attachment dimensions. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that governors, mayors and other city managers should pay more attention to the aspects of city attachment, satisfaction and loyalty.