Jessie Bennett, Assistant Professor, Recreation Management and Policy

Jessie Bennett

Associate Professor
Websites:
Curriculum Vitae

I am an Associate Professor in Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire. Employing primarily mixed methodologies, my research examines community-based outdoor and adaptive sports recreational therapy programs for Veterans and Military Service Members with behavioral health disorders. My research can be categorized into three areas: 1) efficacy research; 2) effectiveness research; and 3) implementation research. Using efficacy research, I examine if the use of a particular modality has positive outcomes for Veterans and Military Services members with behavioral health disorders. Another area of my research focuses on the effectiveness of applying a specific model in community-based programs for Veterans with behavioral health disorders. I also examine barriers associated with the implementation of community-based outdoor and adaptive sport recreational therapy programs for Veterans and Military Service Members with behavioral health disorders. <br><br>A second aspect of my career involves educating and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. I teach courses such as recreational therapy and behavioral health, recreational therapy leadership, planning, and facilitation, and implementing recreation services with a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion lens. I have developed these areas of expertise through years of professional practice as a recreational therapist and my research interest areas. I include applied, experiential, and critical thinking skills throughout all of my courses to develop high quality recreational therapist and recreation professionals.

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

View All
  • Most Cited Publications