PREDICTORS OF PARK USE AMONG HISPANIC MOTHERS

Date

2013-08

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Abstract

Park use is associated with many health benefits, yet Hispanic females visit neighborhood parks infrequently. The purpose of this study was to: 1) describe neighborhood park characteristics and park use among Hispanic mothers who visit parks with their children, and 2) assess individual, psychological, and environmental predictors of park visits among Hispanic mothers who visit parks with their children. A sample of 105 Hispanic mothers participated. Acculturation, physical activity, park perceptions, park distance, and park visits with children were assessed using surveys. Relationships among park visits and study variables were examined using bivariate correlations. Park visits were significantly associated with physical activity (r =.26, p<.01), and park distance (r = -.21, p<.05). Park perceptions were not significantly associated with park visits. A multiple regression model was used to determine predictors of park visits. Findings from this study indicated that acculturation and physical activity were significant predictors of park visits.

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Keywords

Park visits, Hispanic mothers, Acculturation, Physical activity, Park perceptions

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