Michael J. Bradley

I am roller derby: the serious leisure and leisure identity of roller derby participants

Roller derby is an international phenomenon, a form of serious leisure and an activity helping female participants define who they are. Thus, the purpose of this research study was: (a) to examine the phenomenon of roller derby on a larger scale to better understand the identity characteristics of roller derby participants in the USA and (b) to investigate the perceptions of serious leisure experience on leisure identity development. Through online distribution, a total of 582 Womens Flat Track Derby Association members across the USA completed the survey. The results of independent t-tests and ANOVA indicated that the level of seriousness and leisure identity did not vary with female participants’ age, race and education level. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that female participants’ level of systematic pursuit of roller derby could be predicted by their leisure identity. This is specifically true when considering self-identity and positive affectivity related to their experience in roller derby, while social identity was the last significant identity factor for participants.

Female Roller Derby Athletes’ Athletic Identity and Systematic Pursuit of Leisure

Athletic identity is a foundational element of an individual’s self-concept and affects psychological, social, and behavioral characteristics. The purpose of this study was to investigate a unique sport phenomenon, roller derby, by exploring the relationships between athletic identity of women athletes and serious leisure pursuit in the sport. Participants were 578 women registered with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) who completed an online survey concerning their athletic identity. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that demographics (family income) was a minor predictor of participants’ serious leisure pursuit. Both internal and external components of athletic identity were positively associated with their level of serious leisure, while internal components (i.e. self-identity and positive affectivity) were stronger in predicting women athletes’ systematic leisure pursuit in roller derby than external ones. Results of this study provide support for exploring untraditional sport offerings for women, as findings suggest that roller derby provides an opportunity for women to enjoy a full-contact sport and develop identity as an athlete with strength and knowledge through their systematic leisure pursuit. The results of this study suggest offering promotion roller derby programs or other untraditional women sports to foster women’s engagement and greater commitment to sport, as well as to facilitate equality for women in sports.

A Methodological Evaluation of an Environmental Education Survey: Is There a Technological Advantage

Environmental education represents a conceivable way to counter the effects of youth’s lack of exposure to the natural environment. However, the effectiveness of these programs is often not evaluated, and when they are, the methods for doing so are not consistent. Without proper and reliable methods of data collection, the results may be inaccurate and lead to false claims. Middle school children were given surveys to measure interest in nature, importance of nature, and environmental stewardship. The students were split into two groups, one that took the survey through a conventional pencil-and-paper method and one that took the survey on a tablet computer (e.g., iPad). The results revealed a difference in how students responded based on how they took the survey. Children may be more willing to provide more truthful responses through digital means and may associate paper surveys with exams or other less desirable activities. Subscribe to JOREL

Perceived Benefits of Service Learning: A Comparison of Collegiate Recreation Concentrations:

Service learning is becoming a more utilized method of instruction in collegiate settings, and holds the potential to provide a deeper, more transferable meaning of course material for students. The purpose of this research was to examine if therapeutic recreation (TR) concentration students perceived service learning to be more personally and academically beneficial than non-TR concentrations in a collegiate recreation program. Undergraduate and graduate students in a recreation program at a regional, American university were asked to complete a survey in a class with a service learning component. A total of 307 surveys were completed, for a response rate of 76%. Results showed that the TR students perceived service learning as more personally and academically beneficial than the non-TR concentrations. Due to the scant amount of research available related to cognitive and affective effects of service learning on collegiate recreation students, this study will help bridge the gap between academia and the recreation workforce. The results of this study support future implementation of service learning at the collegiate level, specifically in recreation-related academic departments, and highlights possible discrepancies between TR and non-TR concentrations in the effectiveness of service learning on personal and academic outcomes.

Identifying Differences of Environmental Ethics and Place Attachment Among Visitors and Managers at State Parks

ABSTRACT Understanding place attachment and environmental ethic variables may improve management of natural areas, including enhanced communication related to management practices, managing various natural resources for specific or designated uses, and mediating significant differences between visitors and managers. Bridging any gaps of knowledge and understanding between visitors and those taking care of these natural places may enhance use and management of those areas into the future. This study elicited place attachment, environmental ethics, and demographic information from visitors to four state parks in Oklahoma. State park managers and state park visitors were found to be significantly different in their levels of place attachment and environmental ethics. Using t tests and discriminant analysis, researchers were able to use proenvironmental ethics and place identity to explain and predict the significant differences between the two groups. Implications for natural resource management include improved resource conservation and sustainability through enhanced education, interpretation efforts, and specific programming to connect people to natural places.