Understanding recreational events and restorative character at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Abstract

Students at the United States Coast Guard Academy have responsibilities and stressors beyond those of traditional university students. However, no data exist to identify what type of stress students recognize in themselves, and, once assessed, what restorative techniques they use to effectively mitigate those stressors. To help understand the phenomenology of stress and its mitigation, students were asked to identify their stressors and evaluate their restorative experiences based on both the factors of the Attention Restoration Theory and psychological benefits of recreation. Results of a factor analysis of benefits related to highly restorative events provided support for the theoretical factors of Attention Restoration Theory. Suggestions to incorporate Attention Restoration Theory in U.S. Coast Guard training are provided.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2007 northeastern recreation research symposium

Citation

Siniscalchi, Jason M. 2008. Understanding recreational events and restorative character at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. In: LeBlanc, Cherie; Vogt, Christine, comps. Proceedings of the 2007 northeastern recreation research symposium; 2007 April 15-17; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-23. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 283-290.