Exploring Flow Experience in Mountain Climbers: Insights for Enhancing Educational Leadership

Anis Nurul Farida; Onny Fransinata Anggara

doi:10.61987/jemr.v5i2.1895

Authors

Anis Nurul Farida Universitas Negeri Surabaya
Onny Fransinata Anggara Universitas Negeri Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v5i2.1895

Keywords:

Flow Experience, Mountain Climbing, Educational Leadership

Abstract

Flow experience in mountain climbing can be understood as an individual’s state of complete absorption when facing challenges that match their abilities. This study aims to explore the meaning of flow experience in mountain climbers from a phenomenological perspective and examine its implications for educational leadership. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, using in-depth interviews and member checking to ensure the validity of the data. The interview results were analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The findings revealed five key themes of flow experience among mountain climbers: (1) engaging in meaningful experiences by enjoying nature and fostering personal and social connections, (2) achieving a state of immersion characterized by focus, safety, and self-control, (3) relying on preparation, skills, and decision-making to face climbing challenges and risks, (4) using mountain climbing as a process for self-development, reflection, and value formation, and (5) experiencing positive emotional, physical, and psychological effects. These insights suggest that the principles of flow, such as focus, intrinsic motivation, and adaptive decision-making, can be applied to educational leadership to enhance teacher engagement, decision-making under pressure, and personal development.

References

Adeoye, M. A., & Munawwaroh, I. (2025). Transformational Leadership in Education: Harmonising Accountability, Innovation, and Global Citizenship. Kharisma: Jurnal Administrasi dan Manajemen Pendidikan, 4(1), 14–30. https://doi.org/10.59373/kharisma.v4i1.68

Annisa, T. N., Baharun, H., & Sukriyah, T. M. (2025). Transformation of Madrasahs in the Era of Globalization: Innovative Community Engagement Strategies to Enhance Competitiveness and Relevance. JIM: Jurnal Ilmu Multidisiplin, 1(1), 108–122.

Banfield, J. (2024). Spaces of Flow Manipulation. In Critical Perspectives into Flow Research: From Conceptual Detail to Global Geopolitics (pp. 137–164). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70333-1_11

Bulqis, V. A., & Fachri, M. (2025). Integration of Religious Values to Reduce the Decline of Adolescent Ethics in High School. Indonesian Journal of Research and Educational Review, 4(4), 1090–1102. https://doi.org/10.51574/ijrer.v4i4.3672

Dewi, A. T. A., & Manshur, U. (2026). Madrasah Vision Management Strategy in Realizing Superior Educational Quality. EDUCARE: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 5(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.71392/ejip.v5i1.122

Donkoh, S., & Mensah, J. (2023). Application of Triangulation in Qualitative Research. Journal of Applied Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 10(1), 6–9. https://doi.org/10.15406/jabb.2023.10.00319

Fahmi, J. (2024). Case Study Research in the Digital Age. The Qualitative Report, 29(8), 2210–2213. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.7563

Fauzi, A., Zaini, A. W., & Lateh, M. (2025). The Influence of Social Media on Public Relations as a Reinforcement of Higher Education Reputation. Managere: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 7(1), 91–101. https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v7i1.650

Hasanah, U., Fauzi, M. N., & Abrori, M. (2024). The Role of School Environment in Maintaining the Consistency of Hijab Wearing in Students: Social Challenges and Solutions for Religious Education in the Modern Era. Journal of Social Studies and Education, 1(2), 100–112. https://doi.org/10.61987/jsse.v1i2.392

Hefniy, H., & Alwahedi, M. A. A. (2025). Virtual School Tours: Boosting Community Interest and Attracting Prospective Students. Evaluasi: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 340–353. https://doi.org/10.32478/3gtzvf72

Hikmah, U., & Mudarris, B. (2026). A Strategic Plan for High-Quality and Effective Madrasah Management in Realizing Superior Education. Journal of Education Management and Policy, 2(1), 39–49.

Holidi, M. (2025). CBT Exam Implementation Guidance for Students in Facing Digital-Based Assessments. Communautaire: Journal of Community Service, 4(3), 297–312.

Insani, E., & Ari, H. A. (2023). Program MBKM Santri as a Foundation for Strengthening Religious Values in the Era of Society 5.0. Tarbiyah wa Ta’lim: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 10(1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.21093/twt.v10i1.5617

Khofsah, S. (2025). Management of the Habit of Reading the Qur’an as an Effective Memorization Strategy for Tahfidz Class Students at Madrasahs. Journal of Education Management and Policy, 1(3), 198–207.

Kusumawati, I. (2025). AI-Based Human Capital as a Catalyst for Increasing the Strategic Agility of Educational Organizations. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 1(5), 239–245.

Mahadewi, N. M. E., Tantra, D. K., Surata, I. K., & Irwanti, N. K. D. (2025). The Role of Mountain Rural Destination Planning to Event Tourism: Tourism Planning and Ergonomic Approach. In Handbook of Tourism and Hospitality Marketing in Indonesia (pp. 101–122). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-2567-3_5

Munawwaroh, I., Qushwa, F. G., & Tohet, M. (2024). Assistance for the Furudul Ainiyah Program to Improve the Quality of Madrasah Graduates. Communautaire: Journal of Community Service, 3(2), 179–191. https://doi.org/10.61987/communautaire.v3i2.459

Ni’am, M. D., Adeoye, M. A., & Bolaji, H. O. (2025). MATUR: Web-Based Platform Innovation to Facilitate Final Assignment Management in Higher Education. Tarbawi: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 21(1), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.32939/tarbawi.v21i1.4949

Niam, M. F., Rumahlewang, E., Umiyati, H., Dewi, N. P. S., Atiningsih, S., Haryati, T., Magfiroh, I. S., Anggraini, R. I., Mamengko, R. P., & Fathin, S. (2024). Metode Penelitian Kualitatif.

Putra, G. P., Ali, E. Y., & Susilawati, D. (2025). Analysis of the Potential and Challenges of Nature-Based Sport Tourism in West Java. ACTIVE: Journal of Physical Education, Sport, Health and Recreation, 14(2), 653–659.

Safitri, S. D. (2024). Character Management in Crisis: Implementation of Five Day in Ma’had as a Social Care Solution in Elementary Madrasah. JUMPA: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 5(1), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.33650/jumpa.v5i1.9321

Salmona, M., & Kaczynski, D. (2024). Qualitative Data Analysis Strategies. In How to Conduct Qualitative Research in Finance (pp. 80–96). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803927008.00012

Syafiih, M. (2025). The Future of Education in the Digital Era: Between Technological Innovation and Equitable Access. Proceeding of International Conference on Education, Society and Humanity, 3(1), 737–741.

Thohir, P. F. D. M. (2024). Strengthening the Reputation of Islamic Boarding Schools: The Role of Leadership, Educational Innovation, and Local Wisdom. Managere: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 6(3), 331–346. https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v6i3.720

Widhiningsih, E. B., Saptoadi, P., Matantu, T., Supriyanto, S., Listyorini, H., & Akkapin, S. (2024). Mountaineering Tourism: The Implications of Product Uniqueness and Activity on Market Segmentation, Special Interest Tourism Quality, and Risk Management. Asia Pacific Journal of Business Economics and Technology, 4(5), 40–56.

Zamroni, Z., & Maulida Thohir, P. F. D. (2025). Quality of Service and Customer Satisfaction from ROI in Pesantren: A BPS-Mediated Study. TEM Journal, 14(2).

Friday, N., & Leah, N. (2024). Types of Purposive Sampling Techniques With Their Examples and Application in Qualitative Research Studies. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 5(1), 90–99. https://doi.org/10.37745/bjmas.2022.0196

Hussain, B., & Kumar, A. (2025). Scaling New Heights: Personal Transformation Through High-Altitude Trekking in the Himalayas. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-025-00192-w

Kondo, H. M., Gheorghiu, E., & Pinheiro, A. P. (2024). Malleability and Fluidity of Time. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 62189. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62189-7

Mazaya, A., Rahman, A. A., & Hanifah, F. S. (2025). Optimistic Attribution and Flow Experience in Determining the Level of Life Satisfaction of College Students. JoPS: Journal of Psychology Student, 4(1), 10–23. https://doi.org/10.15575/jops.v4i1.37685

Nurhayati, N. F., Abidin, Z., Hikam, C., & Karim, A. (2024). The Relationship Between Flow and Psychological Well-Being Among Student Athletes at Universitas Diponegoro. Jurnal Psikologi Perseptual, 9(1), 89–106. https://doi.org/10.24176/perseptual.v9i1.11916

Salmah, I. M. A., Fithroni, H., Sudijandoko, A., & Fikri, M. D. (2024). Survey of Motivation for Mountain Climbing Activities at Mount Puthuk Gragal as Recreational Sports Education. Jurnal Mahasiswa Ilmu Kesehatan, 2(3), 13–29. https://doi.org/10.59841/jumkes.v2i3.1173

Wayne, D. P., Smith, L. S., Pitliya, R. J., Limanowski, J., Tufft, M. R. A., & Friston, K. J. (2024). Forgetting Ourselves in Flow: An Active Inference Account of Flow States and How We Experience Ourselves Within Them. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1354719. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1354719