Recreation and Leisure Studies

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MINDFULNESS-BASED VIRTUAL REALITY IN COMBINATION WITH EXPRESSIVE WRITING TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT ON ANXIETY AND MENTAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
(East Carolina University, May 2024) Holder, Lyndsee Marie
Anxiety is not just a diagnosis that an individual can receive, it may be a state of thinking in a specific moment, a perception of how the individual is feeling towards a specific situation, individual, or environment (Wang et al., 2020). Anxiety, if left untreated, may develop into a life-long struggle with mental health disorders. Untreated mental health disorders and increased levels of anxiety may result in elevated blood pressure and increased resting heart rate, which can both in turn, decrease quality of life and expose the individual to increased rates of heart attack, stroke, and even death (Any anxiety disorder, NIMH). Interventions are needed to improve and prevent the development of anxiety-related health disorders. Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality (MBVR) and Expressive Writing (EW) are both interventions currently used to reduce and minimize symptoms of anxiety. In this randomized controlled study, the efficacy of combining MBVR and EW in reducing symptoms of anxiety in college students was tested by comparing individuals in the experimental group, who received the MBVR/EW intervention compared to a control group who received a nature-audio VR program and objective writing. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure participants’ state and trait anxiety pre- and post-intervention. Results from state measures demonstrated the use of MBVR/EW as a way to reduce and minimize anxiety symptoms. Implications of this study include the potential expansion of applications of the combined interventions as a treatment modality.
Open Access
Comparing the Effectiveness of Social Skill Development Interventions with Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Children with Autism: An Alternating Treatment Design
(East Carolina University, 2023-05-07) Harrell, Lauren
This study aims to examine and compare the effects of applied behavior analysis treatments in conjunction with therapeutic horseback riding (THR) and the improvement of social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research study compared the effectiveness of social behavior approaches during three conditions (THR, THR with token reinforcement, and THR with visual cues) using a single-subject research design to determine the "best treatment" for improving social skills among children with ASD (N=4). During the comparison phase, the researcher determined the frequency rate of receptive social skills and frequency of expressive social skills among each condition to determine the most effective approach in facilitating observed social skills. Results of this study indicated that while all three conditions increased social skills (receptive and expressive), the use of token reinforcement was the most effective in increasing the number of receptive and expressive communications. Practical implications and future research needs are provided for addressing social skill development with children with ASD.
Open Access
Farm Animal-Assisted Therapy for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parent’s Perspectives
(East Carolina University, 2023-05-03) Dolecheck, Mackenzie P
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects an individual's ability to communicate, create social relationships, and regulate sensory input and repetitive behaviors. An uncommon intervention used in ASD treatment is farm animal assisted therapy (AAT). AAT interventions focus on the use of animals in adjunct to achieve goals and outcomes. Farm AAT is defined as the use of farm animals such as cows, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs in AAT interventions. There is a lack of evidence on the use of farm animals and their benefits within the scope of AAT and in recreational therapy. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence, from the perspective of parents, of the potential benefits of farm AAT as a recreational therapy intervention for individuals with ASD. Data collection using a semi-structured interview guide was conducted over the phone with parents who participated in family session programs at the study location. Five participants were selected who matched the inclusion criteria for this study. The findings from this study reported that there were increases in social behaviors, regulation of behaviors, and a sense of normalcy for the children. The findings from this study will provide a foundation for future research related to farm AAT such as evidenced-based curriculums and practices. The data will provide therapists and parents with an understanding of the potential benefits that are gained from participation in farm AAT interventions.
Open Access
The PharmNet Harm Reduction Intervention for Community Pharmacies: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
(2022) Eldridge, Lori Ann; et al
Open Access
Beliefs and Misperceptions about Naloxone and Overdose among U.S. Laypersons: A Cross-Sectional Study
(2022-05-10) Eldridge, Lori
Open Access
Cross-Cultural Validation of A Revised Environmental Identity Scale
(2021-02-23) Skibins, Jeffrey C.; Clayton, Susan; Czellar, Sandor; Nartova-Bochaver, Sonya; Salazar, Gabby; Tseng, Yu-Chi; Irkhin, Boris; Monge-Rodriguez, Fredy S.
Open Access
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRESCRIBED CASUAL VIDEO GAME PLAY IN REDUCING TOTAL MOOD DISTURBANCE: A RETROACTIVE ANALYSIS
(East Carolina University, 2022-04-28) Craven, Aaron Benjaman
As the world becomes more complex, mood disorders are becoming increasingly common. Mood disorders develop when one or more of the factors of mood, such as depression, become too excessive, developing into an incapacitating disorder. Current treatment for mood disorders have been negatively associated with high cost, a lack of viable resources, and negative stigma. To this end, recreational therapists need newer interventions to help clients treat and prevent the development of mood disorders. Casual video games (CVGs) have been identified as a popular and easily available method to impact mood. This randomized controlled study will evaluate the efficacy of using CVGs in reducing the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) in a population of adults diagnosed with depression. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used to measure participants' TMD scores after CVG gameplay during a one-month period of playing CVGs for 30 minutes, three times per week. The results from the POMS show that CVG gameplay was correlated with a reduction of TMD levels. Likewise, this study demonstrates that recreational therapists can use a prescription of CVGs to treat mood disturbances.
Open Access
#oldnews: Diffusion of Pro-Conservation Behaviors and Social Media in Wildlife Tourism
(East Carolina University, 2021-04-20) Schuler, Gwyneth M
Wildlife tourism, i.e., tourism that involves interactions with wildlife, is extremely popular and can occur in in situ (e.g., parks and protected areas) or ex situ (e.g., zoos and aquariums) settings. Annually, more than 12 million trips are taken for wildlife tourism purposes across the globe, and over 4 million people visit wildlife tourism venues in Eastern North Carolina alone. Wildlife tourism has been justified on the grounds that it produces a net-positive impact on wildlife conservation by encouraging tourists to participate in pro-conservation behaviors (PCB). Because tourists may hold unique feelings towards individual PCB, it is important to understand how wildlife tourists' perceived efficacy of PCB (PEPCB) varies amongst behaviors. It is also important to understand how experiential and personality factors influence the formation of PEPCB. However, empirical data on the factors that influence wildlife tourists' PEPCB are lacking. This study used the Diffusion of Innovations model to explore (a) how engagement with interpretation, attitudes, and past participation in PCB influence tourists' perceived efficacy of PCB , and (b) the role of social media as an emerging PCB. Tourists (N = 475) at seven wildlife tourism venues across North Carolina were surveyed. Engagement with interpretation, attitudes, and past participation in PCB were found to have no influence on perceived efficacy of PCB. Posting on social media emerged as a unique PCB in this study, and past participation in this behavior significantly increased perceptions of its efficacy. Results indicate that PCB may be diffused throughout the community; the only exception are PCB related to social media, which may still be considered innovations and warrant further study.
Open Access
Adolescent free time activity participation and its relationships with perceptions of parenting and intrinsic motivation
(East Carolina University, 2019-12-10) Lubben, Isaiah C
The positive youth development framework emphasizes those developmental tasks and milestones that assist youth in the successful transition to adulthood. These developmental affordances thrive in contexts where social-emotional, physical and institutional resources e.g., family supports, resources, and socializing agents such as school and churches) are present. The current study is guided by Self-Determination Theory, which recognizes the important role that parents play in what youth do in their free time by articulating how youth internalize and value specific free time behaviors through autonomy supportive practices. Autonomy supportive parenting practices are those that allow youth to experience freedom and control in free time. Parenting practices (e.g., monitoring, involvement) that lack autonomy supportive traits (e.g., openness, agreeableness) and involvement during free time thwart the internalization process associated with motivation. The relationship between parents and youth is key to guiding youth to structured experiences that aid in development (e.g., sports, extracurricular activities), as well as making appropriate choices when faced with the prospect of unstructured free time. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between autonomy support from parents, free time motivation and types of recreation participation. Specifically, this study examined activity profiles of rural youth (N=283) and found that respondents' activity patterns were either after school/sports-based or home-based in their free time. The study compared youth by activity profiles on measures of intrinsic motivation and parent autonomy support. The relationships between intrinsic motivation, age of respondents, and perceptions of autonomy support from parents were also examined. No differences were observed between the after school based and home-based activity profiles with respect to intrinsic motivation or reported levels of parent autonomy support. A relationship between parent autonomy support and free time intrinsic motivation was observed. A negative relationship between age and parent autonomy support was also found, which suggests that parents were perceived to be less autonomy supportive and involved by older children in the sample. The lack of differentiation on motivation and parenting practices between groups were contrary to previous studies, which observed that youth who participate in structured activities reported higher levels of parent autonomy support and intrinsic motivation. Consistent with the literature, there was a relationship between parenting practices and intrinsic motivation in free time. The discussion explores the uniqueness of the rural setting from which the sample was drawn. This setting and the experiences of youth in rural environments support the need to examine community resources and offer experiences to youth when constraints related to distance and family responsibilities prevent access to existing structured experiences. The study also underscores the importance of parent autonomy supportive practices regardless of free time behavioral patterns. Directions for future research are offered given the limitations of cross-sectional research and reliance on data that were collected solely from the adolescent's perspective.
Open Access
The effects of meditation on state-trait anxiety in individuals who are inpatient in an opiate treatment program
(East Carolina University, 2018-12-10) Warrick, Stephanie Lynn
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant issue all over the world. In a report by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (2018), approximately 275 million people worldwide have used psychoactive substances, such as cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and non-prescribed psychotropic medication at least once. Researchers suggest that between 26.4 million and 36 million individuals misuse opioids worldwide (Volkow, 2014). Life stressors have been identified as potential triggers that can cause individuals with SUD to relapse; therefore, treatment is unsuccessful, or the recovery experience is more difficult (Brady & Sonne, 1999). The purpose of this exploratory, single-group, pre- and post-intervention design study was to determine if there is a relationship between participation in meditation and the stress levels of individuals who are in recovery for opiate use disorder (OUD). Participants (N = 16) included both adult males and females who were receiving inpatient treatment for OUD. Data were collected utilizing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at four separate times to evaluate immediate and overtime changes for the program. The mobile application, Headspace, was used for the guided meditation sessions. Results indicated statistically significant changes in state anxiety, F₊̧₅ ₊̧₅ (3, 45) = 14.81, p [less than or equal to] .001; however, the findings for trait anxiety changes were not statistically significant.
Open Access
EFFECTS OF MULTI-SENSORY ENVIRONMENT ON ADULTS WITH AUTISM WHO EXPERIENCE REPETITIVE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR
(East Carolina University, 2018-07-24) Bova, Samantha
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with a wide range of characteristics including challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, language and nonverbal communication. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether engagement in multi-sensory environments (MSE) decreases repetitive behaviors in adults with ASD. The study included three adults diagnosed with an intellectual disability and ASD who demonstrate repetitive patterns of behavior. A single-subject ABA withdrawal design was used to examine the effect of the MSE intervention on repetitive behaviors. There were no conclusive findings related to the effectiveness of this approach on behaviors; each participant responded in a different way to the intervention. This study addresses some of the implications and uses of MSEs as an intervention for adults with ASD who experience repetitive patterns of behavior in recreational therapy practice.
Open Access
Examining the Relationship Between Supports for Youth Development and School Connectedness in a Police Athletic League After School Program
(East Carolina University, 2018-07-20) Hilliard, Katina N
For the past twenty years, research and practice in recreation and after-school services have utilized the positive youth development (PYD) framework. PYD is guided by principles that emphasize investing in youth through the promotion of developmental assets; it steers clear of past models that view youth as risks (Benson, Scales & Syvertsen, 2011). Internal assets are outcomes for youth that include a commitment to learning, developing positive values and identity, and having social competency (Scales, Benson, Leffert & Blyth, 2000). Schools and after-school recreation programs affect internal assets by supporting external assets such as the establishment of boundaries and expectations, empowerment of youth, constructive use of time, and support from family, peers, schools, neighbors, and other adults (Scales et al.). Staff practices related to supporting developmental assets fall into four categories: (a) safe environment (e.g., psychological and physical safety; (b) supportive environment (e.g., skill building, conflict resolution); (c) interaction (e.g., mentoring, fostering belonging); and (d) engagement (e.g., opportunities to plan and lead) (Smith et al., 2012). While there have been several studies of school-based after-school programs, there is very little research on programs run under the Police Athletic League model. The current study seeks to investigate the following research questions: (1) What program practices do PAL participants identify as important? and (2) What is the relationship between PAL program practices and youths' report of school connectedness? Results suggest that the PAL staff were performing well in all areas; however, two areas, being able to talk to staff about important things and PAL staff treating students fairly, were determined to be practices areas in which the staff could improve upon. Additionally, the results determined that a safe and supportive environment were positively correlated with school connectedness.
Open Access
Sense of Community in the Campus Recreation Setting: Fostering Community as a Strategy for Student Retention
(East Carolina University, 2018-07-20) Pilgreen, Daniel G
Institutions of higher education invest significant amounts of money building state-of-the-art campus recreation facilities in an environment where student fees and debt are increasing, while graduation and retention are declining. This contradictory environment places large investments at the forefront of scrutiny by higher education decision makers. However, this thesis supports the need for campus recreation centers on university campuses through recognizing the important role campus recreation centers play in building community and aiding in social integration among students. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of campus recreation in fostering a sense of community and the relationship between that sense of community and student persistence. Utilizing a mixed methods research approach from 141 student surveys at a higher education institution in the mid-Atlantic, results indicate a positive correlation between usage of campus recreation facilities and psychological sense of community in campus recreation student users. Results of this study do not support the notion that a higher psychological sense of community is related to student achievement or student persistence. However, additional research is necessary to further solidify these explore these relationships. The current study supports campus recreation as a critical aspect of the campus environment and a place where students reap a variety of benefits (e.g., physically, mentally, and socially).
Open Access
Observational Play Assessment in Recreational Therapy (OPART): Applications for the Validation of Assessment in Recreational Therapy
(East Carolina University, 2018-04-20) Fox, Nicole Christine
The need for standardized assessments in healthcare is rapidly growing as new discoveries are made. In the field of Recreational Therapy (RT), there are primarily agency specific developed assessments that have not yet been analyzed and proven reliable or valid1. As a growing occupation, it is critical that RT assessments are evaluated to provide evidence of the effectiveness of treatment. This study analyzed the reliability and validity of a new RT Assessment, the Observational Play Assessment in Recreational Therapy (OPART). The assessment was designed to provide recreational therapists the opportunity to assess levels of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills of children with disabilities while observed in play settings. Reliability and validity evidence was generated through the comparison of the OPART to another psychometrically sound assessment used in RT, the Comprehensive Evaluation in Recreation Therapy (CERT). Results suggested that the OPART had some evidence of interrater reliability (overall % agreement = .73; section agreement ranging from .60-.87%) with higher agreements when measuring functional skills with physical attributes (e.g., gross motor skills, fine motor skills, endurance/weakness). The OPART had some evidence of convergent validity with overall (rs= .611; p=.016) and adjusted (rs = .738; p=.002) scores when compared with the CERT. Further analysis of individual sub-sections of the OPART with the CERT suggested limited evidence of convergent validity as only one of the four sections approached statistical significance. The OPART also demonstrated some evidence of predictive validity in its’ ability to accurately classify the functional level of the participants when compared to those assigned by staff familiar with individuals observed. The OPART was accurate in 8/15 (53.3%) cases while the standardized CERT was slightly more accurate at classifying participants in 9/15 (60.0%) cases. Overall, the OPART had some evidence of convergent validity with the CERT in terms of adjusted scores (rs=.738; p= .002) and total scores (rs=.611; p= .016) with total scores. While this initial step to validate a new instrument was promising, it is clear that significant development and validation is indicated. Recommendations and future considerations are provided for the validation of agency specific RT assessments.
Open Access
A Comparison of Elementary Student Curriculum Satisfaction to Performance
(East Carolina University, 2018-05-03) Lowry, Megan F.
Elementary students need to learn keyboarding skills in order to keep up with expectations of teachers. The purposes of this study include: to explore if there is any relationship between student satisfaction with the curriculum and improvement in average words per minute (WPM), and between student improvement in WPM and their perception of whether they had improved or not. Two schools were used in this study: a lower elementary (K-2nd grades) and an upper elementary (3rd-5th grades). A keyboarding instruction program was used, and at the end of the school year two questions were asked: “Did you like the activities you did in computer lab?” and “Do you think you are better at keyboarding now?” Results indicate that the younger students tended to have a higher change in WPM when they reported that they did not enjoy the activities and vice versa for the older students. The results showed that in relation to the second question, the lower elementary students had no significant difference in improvement in WPM whether they reported “yes” or “no”. The upper elementary school showed more improvement if they answered that they thought they had improved. The results give evidence that older elementary students are able to comprehend their improvement more than the others. This may influence their view of how much they like the curriculum; or it could be because they achieve greater improvement when they enjoy the curriculum. More research needs to be done to fully understand the relationship.
Restricted
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADAPTIVE SPORTS PARTICIPATION, MOTIVATION, AND COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION OF VETERANS WITH ACQUIRED DISABILITIES
(East Carolina University, 2017-07-19) Whitehurst, Brianna
Reintegration to normal living after a traumatic event or injury is difficult for anyone, but can be especially challenging for military veterans. The purpose of this study was to understand the potential impact adaptive sport participation and motives for participation have on reintegration to normal living in veterans with acquired disabilities. The study population included 28 veterans who participated in seven different adaptive sport programs. Data were collected using two different scales, the Motives for Physical Activities Measure - Revised (MPAM-R) and the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI), to examine frequency of adaptive sports participation, motives for participation and community reintegration among veterans. Results indicated multiple significant relationships between motivational factors (interest/enjoyment, competence, fitness and social motives) and community reintegration. Furthermore, results demonstrated that the motivational factor of interest/enjoyment was a significant predictor of community reintegration in veterans with acquired disabilities. This research study suggests that veterans who are motivated by interest/enjoyment to participate in adaptive sports have higher self-perceived levels of community reintegration than those who are motivated by other factors.
Open Access
Perceived Outdoor Activity Constraints and Negotiation Strategies in Greenville, NC
(East Carolina University, 2017-07-25) Frost, Andrew
Individuals sometimes fail to participate in outdoor activities—to the detriment of their health—as a result of leisure constraints. Constraints are pressures individuals feel when attempting to participate in different activities that limit their full participation. Research suggests all individuals perceive constraints in some form whether they participate or not. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between leisure constraints and frequency of participation among individuals and more specifically among different socio-demographic groups in Greenville, North Carolina. Additionally, this study explored which constraint negotiation and agency facilitation strategies have the potential to increase participation frequency in outdoor recreation activities according to respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics in Greenville, NC. This thesis accomplishes the aforementioned work by conducting a quantitative survey administered via U.S. mail, door-to-door intercepts and face-to-face intercepts. The survey results suggest that despite a high frequency of participation and lower levels of constraints, agency facilitation and negotiation strategies exist that could be used to increase outdoor activity involvement.
Open Access
The Effects of the A Matter of Balance Program on Falls and Physical Risk of Falls, Tampa, Florida, 2013
(2015) Chen, Tuo-Yu; Edwards, Jerri D.; Janke, Megan C.
Introduction This study investigated the effects of the A Matter of Balance (MOB) program on falls and physical risk factors of falling among community-dwelling older adults living in Tampa, Florida, in 2013. Methods A total of 110 adults (52 MOB, 58 comparison) were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Data on falls, physical risk of falling, and other known risk factors of falling were collected at baseline and at the end of the program. Multivariate analysis of covariance with repeated measures and logistic regressions were used to investigate the effects of this program. Results Participants in the MOB group were less likely to have had a fall and had significant improvements in their physical risk of falling compared with adults in the comparison group. No significant effects of the MOB program on recurrent falls or the number of falls reported were found. Conclusion This study contributes to our understanding of the MOB program and its effectiveness in reducing falls and the physical risk of falling among older adults. The findings support extended use of this program to reduce falls and physical risk of falling among older adults.
Open Access
Exploring Identity Development in a Summer Residential Camp for Adolescent Girls
(East Carolina University, 2016-05-04) Hartman, Ariel E
Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood that is characterized by constant change. One of the major developmental tasks youth must address during this period is identity formation. The process of identity formation is aided by youth being exposed to more complex social and academic tasks of life during this period. Organized activities are often linked to positive identity development. However, there exists a need to investigate identity development more broadly across recreation experiences. Studies point to a wide variety of experiences (e.g., sports, creative activities, adventure activities) that positively impact youth identity. Youth residential camps offer campers a variety of experiences, and these settings are often identified as places where youth are positively impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine identity development within the context of a residential summer camp for girls. A convenience sample of adolescent girls (N = 83) from a camp in southwestern Virginia completed the sixth grade reading level version of the Identity Styles Inventory (ISI-6G) on their first and last day of camp to measure their identity styles (informational, normative, and diffuse/avoidant). This study used repeated measures ANOVA and multiple regression analyses to test if changes in identity style scores from pre- to post-test were linked to camp participation, length of stay at camp, and participation in adventurous activities. Results indicated that there were no significant mean increases in identity style scores when considering camp participation. Furthermore, there were no between group differences when considering length of camp or participation in challenging activities. These findings demonstrate the importance of determining what elements of environments and activities contribute to identity development. A review of elements that affect identity styles in adolescents is offered as a starting point for those seeking to assess how recreational programs impact identity styles.
Open Access
An Examination of Attachment In Afterschool Programs
(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Jackson, Ariana V.
While children and adolescents typically spend from six to seven hours a day in formal school settings, they are often faced with a glut of free time. Estimates put between 40-50% of a child’s waking hours spent in what is described as discretionary time. Advocates of afterschool programs (ASPs) identify the non-school hours as an important time to make an impact on youth vulnerable to risks related to delinquency and school failure. ASPs are places where young people can develop attachments to positive adult role models and prosocial peers. These programs are designed to reinforce educational goals, while promoting opportunities for positive development through structured recreation and enrichment opportunities. Considering the salience of attachment for healthy development of youth, it is important to understand how the features of youth programs associate with the bonds between youth and prosocial adults who oversee these programs. Several studies have identified specific supports for competence and autonomy, and these align well with attachment’s roots in the presence of a supportive environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the provision of staff supports for autonomy and competence with the attachment that youth report toward ASPs, and how staff supports and attachment to ASPs associate with school attachment. The study acquired data from three 21st Century Community Learning Centers in eastern North Carolina. Data were collected from 171 youth program participants in grades 2-12 using electronic questionnaires. Supports for autonomy and competence were measured using adaptations of scales developed to study self-determination theory. School attachment was measured through a scale developed by Resnick et al. (1997). Logistic regression tests were used to test study hypotheses. Results supported both hypotheses as supports for competence and autonomy were associated with afterschool attachment, and afterschool attachment was positively related to overall school attachment. Autonomy and competence work to support long-term engagement in programs by appealing to affective components to enhance relatedness.