Outdoor Recreation and Family Cohesiveness: A Research Approach

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Abstract
Outdoor recreation produces many kinds of highly valued social effects. One of these effects appears to be stronger family cohesiveness. Previous research supports the hypothesis that leisure activity and group cohesiveness are related. This study of family campers at St. Croix State Park, Pine County, Minnesota, was designed to test the hypothesis that mutual outdoor recreation helps sustain and increase family cohesiveness by inducing social interaction in the family group. Members of 306 randomly selected families were interviewed in the summer of 1967, and a follow-up questionnaire was sent in the fall. Cohesiveness was measured by ascertaining the amount of intimate communication of troubles, secrets, and mood among family members. Study results provide moderate support for the proposition that outdoor recreation helps maintain and increase family cohesiveness.