Response to conflict among wilderness visitors

Abstract

Previous conceptual efforts suggest that response to recreational conflict should be framed within an adapted stresscoping response model. An important element in understanding response to conflict is the context of the experience. A basic underlying component of the wilderness experience is privacy, which indicates wilderness visitors are interested in releasing—rather than creating—stress and avoiding distractions; therefore, they are likely to utilize distancing and emotion-focused processes in response to conflict. To explore this idea, over 1,000 visitors to an urban-proximate wilderness area were surveyed during the 1998 season. As expected, visitors utilized emotion- and distancing-focused responses when faced with conflict during their experience. Additional research that specifically examines desires for privacy and other potential factors is suggested.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 4: Wilderness visitors, experiences, and visitor management; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Schneider, Ingrid. 2000. Response to conflict among wilderness visitors. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 4: Wilderness visitors, experiences, and visitor management; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-4. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 160-163