Coping with Stress Resulting from Social Value Conflict: Non-Hunters' Response to Anticipated Social Interaction with Hunters

Abstract

This research investigated nonhunting-hikers' response to social interactions with hunters in outdoor recreation settings. Hikers were presented with a hypothetical scenario describing a social interaction with hunters. Social value conflict and psychological stress/coping theories were used to hypothesize and test a structural equation model. Fifty-two percent of the sample (n = 388) indicated that the social interaction would be stressful. Hikers appraised the social situation as controllable. The coping response combined emotion and problem-focused coping. This plan included confronting the hunters, expressing personal values, and attempting to dissuade the hunters from continuing to use the area as a hunting ground. Hikers followed perceived rules of etiquette for social interactions and tried not to damage opportunities to continue using the area. Coping responses were consistent with previous models in recreation and psychology. Results are discussed in light of previous research to foster theoretical development.

Clarifying the Interrelations of Residents’ Perceived Tourism-Related Stress, Stressors, and Impacts

“…Stress research in the tourism context falls into three literature streams: (1) stress as experienced by employees of tourism organizations (Houge Mackenzie and Kerr 2013; Law, Pearce, and Woods 1995), (2) stress as experienced by recreationists or tourists (Schuster, Hammitt, and Moore 2003, 2006; Schuster et al 2006; Iwasaki and Schneider 2003; Schneider and Stanis 2007; Schneider and Hammitt 1995), and (3) stress as experienced by residents of host communities (Jordan, Vogt, and DeShon 2015; Jordan and Vogt 2017a, 2017b; Jordan 2015; Jordan, Spencer, and Prayag 2019).…”

Planning as a Coping Response to Proposed Tourism Development

“…Early research focused on understanding how leisure and tourism activities were a form of coping with every day stressors by leisure participants (Coleman and Iso-Ahola 1993). Other researchers have sought to understand how recreationists cope with stresses brought about by their participation in leisure activities (Schneider and Hammitt 1995; Schuster, Hammitt, and Moore 2003; Schuster et al 2006; Schuster, Hammitt, and Moore 2006). More recently, researchers have focused on how individuals cope with leisure constraints (Kazeminia, Chiappa, and Jafari 2013).…”

Predicting physical distancing on recreational trails during COVID-19

“…Particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic became wide-spread and scientific understanding evolved, uncertainty and fear permeated public life and public spaces ( Meyer et al, 2020 ). Such disruptions to daily life are stressful ( Wagner, Conpas, & Howell, 1988 ), constrain recreation ( Schneider & Wilhelm Stanis, 2007 ), and incite coping responses ( Schneider & Hammitt, 1995 ; Schuster et al, 2006 ). Recreation research reveals trail visitors most frequently cope with stress by following established trail etiquette ( Schneider & Hammit, 1995 ; Schneider, 2000 ; Schneider et al, 2013 ).…”