An examination of an outdoor pool’s contributions to well-Being: predicting different dimensions of well-Being from the use of an outdoor community pool

ABSTRACT

Health and well-being are integral components for achieving a good quality of life, with leisure engagement as a key component. This study investigated perceptions of dimensions of well-being from engaging at an outdoor pool obtained from 364 current users. Physical well-being reported the highest mean; with participants also reporting that the pool provided high levels of emotional and social well-being. While dimensions of well-being were related, correlations ranged from high (.765) between physical and emotional well-being to low (.351) between physical and occupational well-being. To explore differences between the dimensions of well-being, a regression analyses was used for predictions based on demographic and pool habit characteristics. Standardized regression weights revealed different characteristics predicted different types of well-being. Therefore, those managing recreational facilities like a community pool could consider more than how the facility promotes physical well-being and attempt to create spaces that promote other types of well-being.

KEYWORDS:

• Outdoor pool
• subjective well-being
• wellness
• leisure
• recreation
• space
• place

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William D. Ramos

William D. Ramos, Ph.D. Residing within the Indiana University School of Public Health – Bloomington as an Associate Professor, Dr. Ramos’ research is focused on examining the impact of both built and natural aquatic environments. In addition, he also engages in aquatic-based legal cases in the role of expert consultant and witness. His educational preparation includes a Ph.D. in Leisure Behaviour with a minor in Law from Indiana University. Behind his research is over 30 years of practitioner experience in the field of aquatic management stretching from conventional pools and waterfronts to today’s modern waterparks. His insider exposure to the field of aquatic management has provided the impetus for research questions surrounding issues such as drowning prevention, physical activity, participant perceptions, and recreational water illnesses.

Work on drowning prevention has connected him with projects throughout the United States, as well as within several countries within Africa, and most recently Vietnam. Among Dr. Ramos’ current service contributions to the field is an appointment to the Aquatics sub-committee of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council.

Austin R. Anderson

Dr. Austin R. Anderson is an Associate Professor and Director of Sport Management in the Kinesiology and Sport Department at the University of Southern Indiana (USI). Dr. Anderson’s main research focuses primarily on issues of social justice and public policy in leisure and recreation through examinations of sport-specific recreation and management areas. These issues include stigma and belonging in aquatic and recreational spaces, with an emphasis on social justice-based goals for people who often find themselves marginalized due to prejudice, discrimination and/or lack of access.

Susan E. Middlestadt

Susan E. Middlestadt specializes in applied research to design and evaluate theory-based and empirically grounded health promotion, communication, and social marketing programs. Her interests include behavioural, evaluation, and intervention research: on the prevention and control of the use of tobacco and other drugs, including the role of tobacco policy; on physical activity and nutrition behaviours, underlying cardiovascular and other chronic diseases; on reproductive and sexual health, including the promotion of family planning and the prevention and control of STIs and HIV; on the role of social and gender norms in health behaviour; on access to and use of health care services; and on water, energy, and solid waste conservation and efficiency.

Trishnee Bhurosy

Trishnee Bhurosy is an applied behavioural scientist with a focus on health behaviours which reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic conditions. Specifically, her research: (1) identifies the belief factors which underlie health behaviours, (2) tests change processes and builds an understanding of how these processes improve health behaviours of communities in the United States (US) and in developing countries and (3) examines how population-level health behaviours differ by segments and change over time. Dr. Bhurosy’s current work prioritizes cancer patients and their dietary choices. Prior to that, she worked on interventions to improve vegetable consumption among college students in the US and implemented programs to improve access to local fruits and vegetables among women and older adults in Mauritius. Dr. Bhurosy’s ultimate goal is to advance the understanding of health behaviuor change through the development and implementation of interventions and programs that are grounded in health behaviour theories and utilize technology to improve the health of individuals and communities.