Shifting setting densities and normative evaluations of recreation experiences over time

Abstract

In the U.S., population growth and domestic migration is placing increasing pressure on natural landscapes and their provision of ecosystem services. In this investigation, we document residents’ perceptions of shifting use patterns of an aquatic nature-based resource situated in a rapidly growing urban area over an eight-year period from 2008 to 2016. Specifically, we examined the drivers of residents’ perceptions of setting density and the cognitive and behavioral coping strategies they employed to maintain psychological homeostasis. While we saw no statistical mean difference in our measure of crowding from 2008 to 2016, crowding’s normative antecedents (preference for and expectation of encounters) and affective outcome (enjoyment) all varied over time. In 2016, respondents’ preferences and expectations for encounters with others were both more than preferred or expected compared to 2008. Nevertheless, 2016 respondents reported a significantly more enjoyable experience compared to those sampled in 2008. Path modeling revealed that the negative effect of expectation and preference on respondents’ perceptions of crowding and enjoyment was significantly stronger in 2008 resulting in diminished enjoyment when compared to 2016. Findings illustrate that despite substantive change in social and environmental conditions over time, residents have maintained their enjoyment by modifying their normative expectations and preferences. This is despite changes in encounter norm expectations and preference. As urban proximate communities continue to grow in the U.S., tradeoffs will occur in the quality of nature-based recreation opportunities. Managing this transition requires an understanding of the psychological mechanisms people use to navigate change.