The purpose of this study is to examine, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the effect of a two-week adventure recreation program on early adolescent identity development. The study also investigates the influence of gender and the parent-adolescent relationship on this process. Participants in this study included 44 males and 47 females, ages 11-17 (M = 13.4, SD = 1.03), from three western states. Twenty-two males and 23 females participated in the treatment group and the remaining 22 males and 24 females served as controls. The treatment group completed a two-week adventure recreation program, Camp WILD. The program consisted of three different activity areas: backpacking, exploration (e.g., mountain biking, leadership training, wilderness skills, and environmental education) and white water rafting. The quantitative results supported the hypothesis that the adventure recreation program would promote positive adolescent identity development. The data also indicated only limited differences between the developmental impact of the program on males and female participants and that the child-parent relationship exerted only a slight influence on the interaction between the program and identity development. The qualitative data provided further insight into the mechanisms underlying the positive relationship between the adventure recreation program and participants' identity development.

The purpose of the study was to examine the leisure patterns of nonresident fathers while spending time with their child(ren), and to examine leisure constraints, leisure facilitators and nonresident fathers' satisfaction with family leisure activities. Four instruments were used to collect the data. Family leisure involvement was measured using the Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP), leisure constraints were measured using the Nonresident Father Leisure Constraint Scale (NFLCS), leisure facilitators were measured using the Nonresident Fathers' Leisure Facilitator Scale (NFLFS), and family leisure satisfaction was measured using the Family Leisure Satisfaction Scale (FLSS). The sample was nonresident fathers (n=129) from 36 states in the U.S. The data supported leisure constraints as a significant predictor of nonresident fathers' satisfaction with family leisure involvement, and their family leisure patterns. The data did not support, however, leisure facilitators as contributing to fathers' satisfaction with family leisure involvement or leisure patterns.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure satisfaction and satisfaction with family life. Zabriskie's Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure core, balance, and total family leisure satisfaction. The Satisfaction With Family Life Scale (SWFL) an adaptation of Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin's satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), done by Zabriskie and McCormick, was used to measure satisfaction with family life. The sample consisted of 898 parent and youth pairs from throughout the United States. Results indicated that there was a relationship between all family leisure satisfaction variables and satisfaction with family life. Data collected from both parents and youth in families provided insight into the nature of the relationship between family leisure satisfaction and satisfaction with family life. At the parent, youth, and family levels, core family leisure satisfaction had the most significant relationship with satisfaction with family life. These findings provide specific implications for researchers, parents, and professionals who work with families.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between body image, attitudes about appearance, and levels of constrained leisure for college-age women and their mothers. It also examined how the body image concerns of young women are influenced by their mothers'. Thompson and Gray's Body-Image Assessment Scale (BIAS) was used to assess body image while Spangler's Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) was used to assess the participants' beliefs about appearance. Raymore's hierarchical leisure constraints scale was used to measure levels of leisure constraints. The sample was taken from female students at a private western American university and consisted of 116 daughters and 76 mothers. The data supported the hypotheses that body image and beliefs about appearance pose significant leisure constraints for college-age as well as middle-aged women. The data also indicated some maternal influence on appearance-related concerns of daughters.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role and function of family recreational storytelling across the lifespan from the perspective of parents and their adult children. Twelve adults, (six pairs of adult children and their parents) were interviewed. Questions focused on ascertaining the meaning of storytelling (including the role, purpose, and function) from the perspectives of the parents and children from the same family unit. Interviews were transcribed and themes were identified and reported. Participants reported that stories generated feelings of safety, comfort, and security, and often helped create a sense of importance and belonging for individual family members. Family bonding appeared to be the overarching theme under which all other noted themes were grouped. The high degree of enjoyment and fun during family recreational storytelling, reported by both parents and their adult children in this study, suggested that fun was an impetus for family recreational storytelling. Storytelling appeared to facilitate teaching and learning, promote the transfer of values, inspire children to emulate their parents 19 beliefs and values. Participants reported that stories enabled them to see situations from another person 19s perspective. Adult children reported positive changes in attitudes toward their parents as a direct result of family recreational storytelling. Family history stories appeared to be related to the creation of a family identity. The role and purpose of storytelling in the family seemed to change consistently across the lifespan, therefore, a developmental model of storytelling in the family is suggested and recommendations for future research are given.

The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and aspects of family functioning (adaptability and cohesion) among Samoan families residing on American Samoa, and (b) to compare the Samoan data to a broad sample of American families to provide a cross-cultural comparison. The sample consisted of 340 adult participants. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family functioning. Regression analyses conducted on the 340 individuals indicated a positive relationship between core family leisure involvement and family cohesion, adaptability, and overall family functioning. The analyses also indicated a positive relationship between balance family leisure involvement and family adaptability, but no relationship between balance family leisure and family cohesion and overall family functioning. In addition, results indicated that there was no significant difference between American and Samoan families in their family functioning, but their family leisure involvement patterns differed.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a family camp's performance from a consumer (parent) perspective. An Importance-Performance Analysis was used. Responses averages were plotted on a grid of importance versus performance with the overall means used as cross-hairs to create an action grid of four quadrants: keep-up-the-good-work (high importance/high performance), concentrate-here (high importance/low performance), possible-overkill (low importance/high performance), and low-priority (low importance/low performance). Findings indicated that parents are in large part receiving good performance on the factors that are important to them. Findings identified factors that were important to parents including some factors that camp directors were not previously aware of. Three of the five highest importance factor scores were regarding accommodations (clean facility, restrooms provided, and showers provided). All five of the top performance factor scores were regarding programming details. Implications for family camp providers and recommendations for future research are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to adapt a measure for coping in outdoor adventure activities that reliable and valid inferences could be made. To do this, the constructs were clearly defined; relevant items were written representing the constructs. An expert panel reviewed the items for content validity, and the instrument was administered to subjects to gather evidence supporting the reliability and validity of inferences. The instrument adapted will provide a foundation for future research and understanding related to outdoor adventure coping skills. In addition, evidence supporting the reliability and validity of inferences of the assessment serve to measure outcomes in adventure and wilderness therapy programs.

The purpose of this study was to examine leisure patterns and meanings of leisure among families in the developing East African nation of Uganda, in response to recent calls for more non-Western leisure studies (Chick, 1998; Iwasaki, Nishino, Onda & Bowling, 2007). The three focus questions answered in this study were: (a) what do Ugandans from the Mukono District think leisure is? (b) how is family leisure, in their terms, happening? and (c) in what ways do they think family leisure is important? This study utilized a grounded theory methodology (Glaser & Strauss, 1978) with qualitative data analysis methods. Sixty-eight secondary students and five family units were interviewed. The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Results indicate Ugandan definitions of leisure are similar to Western definitions. Additionally, Ugandan families participate in activities similar to Western families. Students mentioned five primary family leisure outcomes (enjoyment/fun, personal development, family development, health, and relaxation) that point toward a core theme. Fortifying describes the importance Ugandan students and family members place upon family leisure outcomes that strengthen the individual to overcome inevitable challenges they will face throughout their lives and enable them to succeed. Additionally, participants frequently mentioned the role of family socializing activities, such as discussion and story-telling, in contributing to important family leisure outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between job performance of wilderness and adventure therapy (WAT) field guides and personality traits. Specifically, this study utilized the NEO-PI-R to assess personality and the Field Guide Performance Evaluation (FGPE) to assess job performance. Job performance was measured by managers, peers, and WAT participants. The sample consisted of 89 personality assessments, gathered from both the U.S. and Canada. Ordinary least squares regression analysis indicated there was a non-significant relationship between field guide job performance and personality. Findings provide implications for WAT practitioners seeking the most qualified field guides possible.