Jessie Bennett, Assistant Professor, Recreation Management and Policy

Jessie Bennett

Associate Professor
Websites:
Curriculum Vitae

<p>Jessie L. Bennett, PhD, CTRS/L, is an Associate Professor at the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Recreation Management and Policy. Her research focuses on the use of adaptive sports and outdoor recreation to improve the well being of Veterans, Military Personnel, First Responders and their families' lives, with funding from USDA, DOD, and VA. Her work has been widely published in top journals. She is actively engaged in the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and the co-editor of the ATRA Annual journal, she works to enhance the role of recreation for improving the well being of people's lives and communities.</p>

Courses Taught

  • RMP 501: DEIJ for Recreation Services
  • RMP 504: Therp Rec Mental Hlth Princple
  • RMP 563: Rec Mgt & Policy Practicum
  • RMP 612: Ther Comm Tech in TR
  • RMP 764: Internship
  • RMP 963: Graduate Field Practicum
  • RMP 970: Teaching Practicum
  • RMP 980: Independent Study

Education

  • Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Leisure, Indiana University - Bloomington
  • M.S., Parks, Recreation and Leisure, Brigham Young University
  • B.S., Therapeutic Recreation, Green Mountain College

Research Interests

  • Anxiety
  • Behavior and Health
  • Behavior Modification
  • BEHAVIORAL/SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • Depression
  • Disabled Veterans
  • Emotional/Mental Health
  • Health, Allied Fields
  • Mental Disorders/Illness
  • Recreation and Leisure Studies
  • Recreational & Leisure Activities
  • Rehabilitation for People With Disabilities
  • Rehabilitation/Therapy, Emotional/Social
  • Rehabilitation/Therapy, Physical
  • Social/Recreation Services for People With Disabilities
  • Substance Abuse
  • Substance Abuse Treatment
  • Therapeutic Recreation
  • Veterans

Selected Publications

  • Powers, S. L., Ferguson, L. A., Ferguson, M. D., Aytur, S., Gorman, M. B., Bennett, J. L., & Feldbaum, E. (2025). Fostering equity: How welcomeness, safety, and representation influence visitor coping and intention-to-return to parks and protected areas. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 50, 100868. doi:10.1016/j.jort.2025.100868

  • Carter, V., Ingrao, A., Bennett, J. L., & Gould, C. (2024). Healing Hives: Exploring the Effects of Beekeeping on Veteran Mental Health and Quality of Life Authors. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 58(4). doi:10.18666/trj-2024-v58-i4-12407

  • Bennett, J. L., Van Puymbroeck, M., & Piatt, J. A. (2024). Impacting mental health: Adaptive snowsports as a therapeutic approach for veterans with combat-related disabilities and their significant others. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 23(2), 27-41. doi:10.5055/ajrt.0291

  • McDonagh, K., Bennett, J., & Geden, S. (2024). Physical Activity Participation, Quality of Life, and Behavioral Health Disorders for Veterans with PTSD. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 58(1). doi:10.18666/trj-2024-v58-i1-12055

  • Bennett, J. L., Craig, P., Aytur, S., Thompson, T., Roscoe, H. S., & Gravink, J. (2022). Community-Based Recreational Therapy for Veterans with Behavioral Health Disorders: Impacts on Quality of Life, Participation, and Happiness. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL. doi:10.1007/s10597-022-00962-6

  • Craig, P. J., Alger, D. M., Bennett, J. L., & Martin, T. P. (2020). The Transformative Nature of Fly-Fishing for Veterans and Military Personnel with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. THERAPEUTIC RECREATION JOURNAL, 54(2), 150-172. doi:10.18666/TRJ-2020-V54-I2-9965

  • Townsend, J., Hawkins, B. L., Bennett, J. L., Hoffman, J., Martin, T., Sotherden, E., & Bridges, W. (2018). Preliminary long-term health outcomes associated with recreation-based health and wellness programs for injured service members. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY, 5(1). doi:10.1080/23311908.2018.1444330

  • Bennett, J. L., Piatt, J. A., & Van Puymbroeck, M. (2017). Outcomes of a Therapeutic Fly-Fishing Program for Veterans with Combat-Related Disabilities: A Community-Based Rehabilitation Initiative. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, 53(7), 756-765. doi:10.1007/s10597-017-0124-9

  • Thompson, C. V., Bennett, J. L., Sable, J. R., & Gravink, J. (2016). Northeast Passage PATH (TM) Program A Strengths-Based and Recovery-Oriented Approach for Veterans Who Experience Mental Health Disorders. THERAPEUTIC RECREATION JOURNAL, 50(2), 138-154. doi:10.18666/TRJ-2016-V50-I2-6788

  • Vella, E. J., Milligan, B., & Bennett, J. L. (2013). Participation in Outdoor Recreation Program Predicts Improved Psychosocial Well-Being Among Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study. MILITARY MEDICINE, 178(3), 254-260. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00308

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  • Most Cited Publications