Outdoor Recreation as a Mechanism for Improved Mental Health
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
“Outdoor Recreation as a Mechanism for Improved Mental Health” Background/Significance of the Problem: Those working in higher education have a vested interest in understanding how outdoor recreation activities facilitate happiness in college students, especially with student well-being at an all-time low and rates of anxiety and depression rising.
This study compares indoor versus outdoor recreation activities within the context of the DRAMMA model of leisure engagement and subjective well-being and happiness, which includes the psychological mechanisms of detachment-recovery, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation.
Purpose: This study aims to understand the relationship between college students’ participation in indoor recreation activities and outdoor recreation activities as it contributes to individual subjective well-being and happiness.
Methods: Using a convenience sampling procedure, we sent 16,816 undergraduate students at a large, public mid-western university a link to an anonymous electronic-version survey (n=704).
T-tests were utilized to compare indoor and outdoor recreation choices with SWB, then again for leisure satisfaction. MANOVA tests were performed to analyze the psychological mechanisms of the DRAMMA model, the differences between indoor and outdoor recreation choices, and SWB, then again for leisure satisfaction
Results: Findings indicated that college students who participated in outdoor recreation indicated higher SWB and leisure satisfaction than traditional recreation participants. These findings support previous literature associating participation in outdoor recreation activities with a range of beneficial individual and group-development mental health outcomes (Hattie et al., 1997; Holland et al., 2018; Houge & Brymer, 2020)
Implication: Collegiate recreation and wellness professionals should champion the role outdoor recreation and leisure can play in student happiness and well-being. Considering the findings and literature on outdoor recreation and nature sports, promoting these programs and opportunities may foster and enhance psychological resilience, positive mental health and well-being at a time when many students are struggling (Shellman & Hill, 2017).
