MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Family Structure and Park Use Among Parents

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2012

Abstract: BackgroundDespite the increasingly diversified family structure in the U.S., little research examines differences in park use between nontraditional and traditional family structures.PurposeThis study examines family-structure differences in parent park use. It was hypothesized that working single parents and dual-worker parents have lower levels of park use than parents in two-parent, single-worker families.MethodsData from a 2010 park-use survey in three urban neighborhoods in Minneapolis MN (N=261 parents) were analyzed in 2012. Multiple variables of park use were developed, including recalled measures over the past 3 days and over the past year. Family-structure differences in these variables were examined using multivariate regression analyses.ResultsAfter controlling for spatial clustering effects and confounding factors, working single parents reported 32.6% (p<0.10) fewer park visits and 62.0% (p<0.05) less time spent in parks in the past 3 days than parents in two-parent, single-worker families. Dual-worker parents did not report fewer park visits in the past 3 days than parents in two-parent, single-worker families, yet the length of time they spent in parks during these visits was 41.5% (p<0.10) less. Family-structure differences in past-year park-use measures were not significant.ConclusionsThis research shows the importance of including family-structure variables and both recent and longer-term recalled measures of park use in park-use studies. Greater attention to the recreation needs of working single parents and dual-worker parents is needed in descriptive and intervention research aiming to promote park use among families with children.

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Fan, Yingling; Das, Kirti V; French, Simone A

Periodical (Full): American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Issue: 5

Volume: 43

Pages: 520-526

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop