Mark A Widmer
Biographic Data
| ID | 141454 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mark A Widmer |
| GIVEN NAMES | Mark A |
| FAMILY NAME | Widmer |
| SIGNATURE | WIDMER M A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Brigham Young University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3164-0313 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 14 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 66 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 14 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2009 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2023 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Effects of an Eight-Week Wilderness Adventure Program on Body Composition and Mental Health of Adolescents
Background: Little is known about the effects of outdoor behavioral healthcare on participants’ body composition or about the relationship between body changes and indicators of mental health. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to compare body and mental health changes in adolescents in an 8-week adventure therapy program. Methodology/Approach: In this observational study, we analyzed pre- and posttest weight, body composition, and psy…
An examination of the stability of the remembering self when measuring social connection derived from a shared leisure experience
Social connection has been identified as a public health priority, and is often positioned, in various forms, as an outcome of leisure experiences. In cases of assessing the hedonic quality of experiences, research has identified a relative permanence and stability in the remembering self; however, whether the same is true when measuring social connection is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether recall of social connection aft…
Empirically testing the experience type framework
In 2018, Duerden et al. proposed an experience type framework (ETF) which articulated key characteristics of ordinary and extraordinary experiences. While conceptually helpful, the framework has yet to be empirically tested. Thus, the purpose of this study was to empirically test the proposed hierarchical structure of the ETF. To achieve this purpose, we first developed, refined, and validated an operationalized ETF measurement tool, the experien…
Leisure, eudaimonic behavior, physical activity and well-being of older adults
This study explored how different types of daily experiences (leisure activity, eudaimonic behaviors) and select habits and dispositions (neuroticism, dispositional depression, physical activity level), are related to situational well-being (situational depression, immediate positive affect) among older adults from a community center. Six hundred thirty-eight situational experience sampling observations were provided by 19 participants ranging in…
The School-Based Family
The purpose of this study was to examine the possible formation of surrogate families within Ugandan schools, especially among orphans who lack positive development opportunities typically provided by parents. This qualitative study sample of 66 Ugandan secondary school students were selected from eight schools in the Mukono district of Uganda. Findings suggest a potentially widespread family formation pattern between students and their teachers.…
Why People Play at Work
Postmodern perspectives on work and leisure acknowledge the interwoven nature of these domains, an example being the increasing number of organizations intentionally incorporating leisure into the employee experience. Existing research, however, provides no specific theoretical guidance regarding the potential impacts of strategically integrating recreation activities into the work domain. Thus, based on positive organizational scholarship and le…
Leisure at work and employee flourishing
The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Duerden, Courtright, and Widmer’s leisure at work (LAW) model and explore the relationship between LAW and employee flourishing (i.e., resilience, work engagement, organizational identification). In a sample of 266 computer software employees, structural equation modeling revealed that LAW and leisure as a state of mind (i.e., intrinsic motivation, perceived freedom, positive affect) had po…
From ordinary to extraordinary
Understanding the nature of, and how to design, structured experiences has become an increasingly salient topic for academics and professionals over the past two decades. Despite the rise in interest in experiences, the related academic literature is fragmented and often atheoretical. To address this situation, this article presents a framework of experiences—including construct definitions and propositions—to help guide the research and design e…
Family Therapy in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare
Fortifying Leisure
This study examined family leisure patterns and meanings of family leisure from the perspective of adolescents living in the Mukono District of Uganda. Sixty-eight secondary students were interviewed. Results indicate Ugandan adolescent definitions of leisure reflect leisure as free time and leisure as a means to an end. Students mentioned three primary family leisure outcomes (enjoyment/fun, personal development, and family development) that poi…
Increasing and Generalizing Self-Efficacy
This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of an adventure recreation program on adolescent participants' outdoor recreation and academic self-efficacy. The study also explored the transferability of efficacy beliefs across non-related domains. The sample included 262 adolescents, 194 who served as participants in the program and 68 who served as comparisons. The average age for each group was 13.6 years. The intervention, a two-week, theo…
Antecedents of Identity Development in a Structured Recreation Setting
Identity research has focused primarily on outcomes associated with identity formation. Far less attention, however, has been given to understanding the facilitating contextual elements of this process. This qualitative study examined a context, a 2-week adventure recreation program for youth, quantitatively shown in previous research to have promoted identity development. The program took place in Idaho’s Salmon-Challis National Forest and invol…
Adventures in Identity Development
This study examined the effect of an adventure recreation program on adolescent identity development. Participants included 43 males and 45 females, ages 11 to 15 (M = 13.33, SD = .86). Twenty-two males and 23 females participated in the program, and the remaining youth served as members of a comparison group. Participants completed a two-week adventure program that included such activities as backpacking, mountain biking, white-water rafting, en…
Contributions of Family Leisure to Family Functioning Among Families that Include Children with Developmental Disabilities
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning among families that include children with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 154 families (154 parents and 62 youth). Data were analyzed from the parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family funct…
Contributions of Family Leisure to Family Functioning Among Families that Include Children with Developmental Disabilities
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning among families that include children with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 154 families (154 parents and 62 youth). Data were analyzed from the parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family funct…
From ordinary to extraordinary
Understanding the nature of, and how to design, structured experiences has become an increasingly salient topic for academics and professionals over the past two decades. Despite the rise in interest in experiences, the related academic literature is fragmented and often atheoretical. To address this situation, this article presents a framework of experiences—including construct definitions and propositions—to help guide the research and design e…
Increasing and Generalizing Self-Efficacy
This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of an adventure recreation program on adolescent participants' outdoor recreation and academic self-efficacy. The study also explored the transferability of efficacy beliefs across non-related domains. The sample included 262 adolescents, 194 who served as participants in the program and 68 who served as comparisons. The average age for each group was 13.6 years. The intervention, a two-week, theo…
Why People Play at Work
Postmodern perspectives on work and leisure acknowledge the interwoven nature of these domains, an example being the increasing number of organizations intentionally incorporating leisure into the employee experience. Existing research, however, provides no specific theoretical guidance regarding the potential impacts of strategically integrating recreation activities into the work domain. Thus, based on positive organizational scholarship and le…
Leisure at work and employee flourishing
The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Duerden, Courtright, and Widmer’s leisure at work (LAW) model and explore the relationship between LAW and employee flourishing (i.e., resilience, work engagement, organizational identification). In a sample of 266 computer software employees, structural equation modeling revealed that LAW and leisure as a state of mind (i.e., intrinsic motivation, perceived freedom, positive affect) had po…
Antecedents of Identity Development in a Structured Recreation Setting
Identity research has focused primarily on outcomes associated with identity formation. Far less attention, however, has been given to understanding the facilitating contextual elements of this process. This qualitative study examined a context, a 2-week adventure recreation program for youth, quantitatively shown in previous research to have promoted identity development. The program took place in Idaho’s Salmon-Challis National Forest and invol…
Empirically testing the experience type framework
In 2018, Duerden et al. proposed an experience type framework (ETF) which articulated key characteristics of ordinary and extraordinary experiences. While conceptually helpful, the framework has yet to be empirically tested. Thus, the purpose of this study was to empirically test the proposed hierarchical structure of the ETF. To achieve this purpose, we first developed, refined, and validated an operationalized ETF measurement tool, the experien…
Fortifying Leisure
This study examined family leisure patterns and meanings of family leisure from the perspective of adolescents living in the Mukono District of Uganda. Sixty-eight secondary students were interviewed. Results indicate Ugandan adolescent definitions of leisure reflect leisure as free time and leisure as a means to an end. Students mentioned three primary family leisure outcomes (enjoyment/fun, personal development, and family development) that poi…
An examination of the stability of the remembering self when measuring social connection derived from a shared leisure experience
Social connection has been identified as a public health priority, and is often positioned, in various forms, as an outcome of leisure experiences. In cases of assessing the hedonic quality of experiences, research has identified a relative permanence and stability in the remembering self; however, whether the same is true when measuring social connection is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether recall of social connection aft…
Leisure, eudaimonic behavior, physical activity and well-being of older adults
This study explored how different types of daily experiences (leisure activity, eudaimonic behaviors) and select habits and dispositions (neuroticism, dispositional depression, physical activity level), are related to situational well-being (situational depression, immediate positive affect) among older adults from a community center. Six hundred thirty-eight situational experience sampling observations were provided by 19 participants ranging in…
Adventures in Identity Development
This study examined the effect of an adventure recreation program on adolescent identity development. Participants included 43 males and 45 females, ages 11 to 15 (M = 13.33, SD = .86). Twenty-two males and 23 females participated in the program, and the remaining youth served as members of a comparison group. Participants completed a two-week adventure program that included such activities as backpacking, mountain biking, white-water rafting, en…
Contributions of Family Leisure to Family Functioning Among Families that Include Children with Developmental Disabilities
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning among families that include children with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 154 families (154 parents and 62 youth). Data were analyzed from the parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family funct…
Antecedents of Identity Development in a Structured Recreation Setting
Identity research has focused primarily on outcomes associated with identity formation. Far less attention, however, has been given to understanding the facilitating contextual elements of this process. This qualitative study examined a context, a 2-week adventure recreation program for youth, quantitatively shown in previous research to have promoted identity development. The program took place in Idaho’s Salmon-Challis National Forest and invol…
Fortifying Leisure
This study examined family leisure patterns and meanings of family leisure from the perspective of adolescents living in the Mukono District of Uganda. Sixty-eight secondary students were interviewed. Results indicate Ugandan adolescent definitions of leisure reflect leisure as free time and leisure as a means to an end. Students mentioned three primary family leisure outcomes (enjoyment/fun, personal development, and family development) that poi…
Increasing and Generalizing Self-Efficacy
This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of an adventure recreation program on adolescent participants' outdoor recreation and academic self-efficacy. The study also explored the transferability of efficacy beliefs across non-related domains. The sample included 262 adolescents, 194 who served as participants in the program and 68 who served as comparisons. The average age for each group was 13.6 years. The intervention, a two-week, theo…
Family Therapy in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare
Why People Play at Work
Postmodern perspectives on work and leisure acknowledge the interwoven nature of these domains, an example being the increasing number of organizations intentionally incorporating leisure into the employee experience. Existing research, however, provides no specific theoretical guidance regarding the potential impacts of strategically integrating recreation activities into the work domain. Thus, based on positive organizational scholarship and le…
Leisure at work and employee flourishing
The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Duerden, Courtright, and Widmer’s leisure at work (LAW) model and explore the relationship between LAW and employee flourishing (i.e., resilience, work engagement, organizational identification). In a sample of 266 computer software employees, structural equation modeling revealed that LAW and leisure as a state of mind (i.e., intrinsic motivation, perceived freedom, positive affect) had po…
From ordinary to extraordinary
Understanding the nature of, and how to design, structured experiences has become an increasingly salient topic for academics and professionals over the past two decades. Despite the rise in interest in experiences, the related academic literature is fragmented and often atheoretical. To address this situation, this article presents a framework of experiences—including construct definitions and propositions—to help guide the research and design e…
The School-Based Family
The purpose of this study was to examine the possible formation of surrogate families within Ugandan schools, especially among orphans who lack positive development opportunities typically provided by parents. This qualitative study sample of 66 Ugandan secondary school students were selected from eight schools in the Mukono district of Uganda. Findings suggest a potentially widespread family formation pattern between students and their teachers.…
Leisure, eudaimonic behavior, physical activity and well-being of older adults
This study explored how different types of daily experiences (leisure activity, eudaimonic behaviors) and select habits and dispositions (neuroticism, dispositional depression, physical activity level), are related to situational well-being (situational depression, immediate positive affect) among older adults from a community center. Six hundred thirty-eight situational experience sampling observations were provided by 19 participants ranging in…
Effects of an Eight-Week Wilderness Adventure Program on Body Composition and Mental Health of Adolescents
Background: Little is known about the effects of outdoor behavioral healthcare on participants’ body composition or about the relationship between body changes and indicators of mental health. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to compare body and mental health changes in adolescents in an 8-week adventure therapy program. Methodology/Approach: In this observational study, we analyzed pre- and posttest weight, body composition, and psy…
An examination of the stability of the remembering self when measuring social connection derived from a shared leisure experience
Social connection has been identified as a public health priority, and is often positioned, in various forms, as an outcome of leisure experiences. In cases of assessing the hedonic quality of experiences, research has identified a relative permanence and stability in the remembering self; however, whether the same is true when measuring social connection is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether recall of social connection aft…
Empirically testing the experience type framework
In 2018, Duerden et al. proposed an experience type framework (ETF) which articulated key characteristics of ordinary and extraordinary experiences. While conceptually helpful, the framework has yet to be empirically tested. Thus, the purpose of this study was to empirically test the proposed hierarchical structure of the ETF. To achieve this purpose, we first developed, refined, and validated an operationalized ETF measurement tool, the experien…
Psychology (14 works) · Social Psychology (9 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Developmental psychology (7 works) · Adventure (5 works) · Outdoor and Experiential Education (5 works) · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management (5 works) · Sociology (5 works) · Youth Development and Social Support (5 works) · Medicine (4 works)