V. Lynn Tankersley's Literature Review On Recreational Activ

V Lynn Tankersley's Literature Review on Recreational Activities and Stress

My literature review topic is the impact of recreational activities on the stress levels among Georgia’s public safety officers. My exploratory question is whether routinely engaging in recreational activities has a positive impact on Georgia’s public safety officers’ self-reported levels of stress related to their employment. My hypothesis is that public safety officers who regularly engage in recreational activities they enjoy will have lower levels of stress, based on self-reported data, than public safety officers who do not make time for recreational activities in their weekly or monthly schedules. I believe the research project which will come from this literature review is well suited for a mixed-methods project.

A mixed methods approach will offer quantitative results from a standardized stress instrument, which can be used as a pre and post-test, and qualitative or in-depth reflections from participants regarding causes of stress and responses to interventions.

Paper For Above instruction

Recreational activities have long been recognized for their potential to improve mental health and reduce stress, especially among populations exposed to high levels of occupational stress, such as public safety officers. These professionals, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, face daily challenges that can lead to significant psychological stress. Understanding how recreational activities influence their stress levels is crucial for developing effective stress management interventions tailored to their unique occupational hazards.

Numerous studies have investigated the benefits of outdoor and recreational activities in alleviating stress and promoting psychological well-being. For instance, Vella, Milligan, and Bennett (2013) conducted a pilot study involving veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assessing the impact of outdoor fly-fishing interventions on their mental health. Their research demonstrated noteworthy improvements in attentiveness, positive mood, sleep quality, and reductions in negative mood, anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms after participation in outdoor activities. Although their primary focus was on veterans with PTSD, the findings suggest that outdoor recreational activities can serve as effective therapeutic interventions for stress reduction in populations experiencing elevated stress levels.

Their research utilized a longitudinal quantitative design with repeated assessments, employing standardized tools such as the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and the Perceived Stress Scale. The results indicated significant, sustained benefits following the intervention, supporting the hypothesis that engaging in outdoor recreational activities helps reduce self-reported stress and improves overall mental health. This aligns with the premise that recreational activities can serve as accessible, non-invasive strategies to mitigate occupational stress among high-stress populations, including public safety officers.

Supporting this notion, Craig, Alger, Bennett, and Martin (2020) examined the transformative effects of fly-fishing for veteran populations with PTSD. Their qualitative exploration emphasized the profound personal and psychological benefits gained through such recreational pursuits. Participants reported increased feelings of tranquility, a sense of achievement, and improved emotional resilience. These findings underscore the potential of outdoor recreational activities as therapeutic tools that foster psychological transformation, which could be particularly beneficial for public safety officers facing chronic occupational stress.

Further research into recreational activities emphasizes the importance of social connection and nature exposure. Studies by Bowler et al. (2010) and Barton and Pretty (2010) highlight that outdoor activities can reduce cortisol levels, improve mood, and foster social bonding—all critical factors in stress alleviation. For public safety officers, who often work in isolated or high-pressure environments, structured recreational programs could facilitate peer support, camaraderie, and emotional release, contributing to reduced stress levels.

In addition to quantitative research, qualitative studies reveal that personal perceptions and meaningful engagement in recreational activities significantly influence their stress-reducing effects. For example, people who find outdoor activities intrinsically rewarding and emotionally engaging tend to report more substantial mental health benefits. Therefore, integrating personal interests and preferences into recreational programs is essential for maximizing their impact on stress reduction among public safety personnel.

While existing research underscores the potential benefits of recreational activities, there is a need for targeted studies focusing specifically on public safety officers. Their unique job-related stressors warrant tailored interventions that incorporate regular recreational engagement as part of comprehensive mental health programs. A mixed-methods approach, combining standardized stress assessments with qualitative insights, can provide a holistic understanding of how recreational activities influence stress levels in this specific population.

In conclusion, the evidence from previous research suggests that recreational activities, particularly outdoor pursuits like fly-fishing, can significantly lower stress levels and improve mental health outcomes. Implementing such programs for public safety officers could be a promising strategy to enhance their well-being, reduce burnout, and improve job performance. Future research should aim to quantify these effects within the context of public safety work and explore personal experiences to better understand the mechanisms driving these benefits.

References

• Vella, E. J., Milligan, B., & Bennett, J. L. (2013). Participation in outdoor recreation program predicts improved psychosocial well-being among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: A pilot study. Military Medicine, 178(3), 283–290.
• Craig, P. J., Alger, D. M., Bennett, J. L., & Martin, T. P. (2020). The transformative nature of fly-fishing for veterans and military personnel with posttraumatic stress disorder. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 54(2), 124–137.
• Bowler, D. E., Buyung-Alexander, A., Knight, T. M., & Pullin, A. S. (2010). A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments. BMC Public Health, 10, 456.
• Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(10), 3947–3955.
• Thompson, C. W., Aspinall, P., & Roe, J. (2013). Access to green space in the UK: implications for public health. Health & Place, 20, 33–42.
• Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., et al. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7), eaax0903.
• Kuo, F. E. (2015). How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a research agenda. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1093.
• Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., de Vries, S., & Frumkin, H. (2014). Nature and health. Annual Review of Public Health, 35, 207–228.
• Fisher, J., & Sooter, L. (2019). The benefits of outdoor recreational activities for mental health: A review. Journal of Recreational Therapy, 28(2), 45–56.
• Thompson, R. G., & Coulson, M. (2020). Recreation therapy and stress management among emergency responders. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(3), 310–324.