Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


4-30-21 Jessie Hartman Thesis.pdf (2.41 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Social Capital in Rural Appalachia: The Contribution of a Sports and Recreation Facility

Hartman, Jessica Christine
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1619791087681498

Abstract Details

2021, Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, Social Work.
This study explores the extent to which the addition of a sports and recreation center in a rural community might contribute to social capital, thereby strengthening the connections and relationships among people and institutions in an otherwise disenfranchised setting. Rural communities in particular deal with challenges related to intergenerational poverty and social isolation. One way to address these challenges is to facilitate sport opportunities within communities. Sport is beneficial, as it has the capacity to build social capital, which promotes the overall well-being of individuals and climate of communities. Little research, however, exists examining the relationships among social capital and sport in rural communities. As such, this study asks: In what ways, if any, does a state-of-the-art sport and recreation facility build social capital in a rural community? This research question was addressed using qualitative interviews with nine key stakeholders in Logan Ohio, a rural community in southern Ohio which recently opened a sport and recreation facility called the Chieftain Center. Stakeholders were asked their perceptions of benefits for individuals and the community, specifically exploring the extent to which bonding, bridging, and linking social capital may be occurring. In addition, the depth of social capital in relation to social network density, level of resources, reciprocity, and trust were explored. Interview data was synthesized using thematic analysis, and coded into higher-order themes, subthemes, and lower-order themes. Themes described community strengths, rural community characteristics, value of sport, challenges of sport, and Chieftain Center impact, all of which inform social capital and sport outcomes in the community and help to answer the broader research question. Study findings demonstrate how elements of social capital were already present within the Logan-Hocking community. However, sport and the Chieftain Center further facilitated social capital development through bonding, bridging, and linking mechanisms. As a result, assets such as social network density, level of resources and reciprocity resulted. Findings indicate the value of sport and sport facilities for addressing barriers related to access and opportunity present in rural communities. Implications for social work practice are discussed, especially in relation to enhancing sport opportunities for youth and the community and advocating for investments in sport and recreation facilities as convening spaces.
Dawn Anderson-Butcher (Advisor)
201 p.
Social Work
social capital; sport; sport and recreation facility; rural social work

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hartman, J. C. (2021). Social Capital in Rural Appalachia: The Contribution of a Sports and Recreation Facility [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1619791087681498

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hartman, Jessica. Social Capital in Rural Appalachia: The Contribution of a Sports and Recreation Facility. 2021. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1619791087681498.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hartman, Jessica. "Social Capital in Rural Appalachia: The Contribution of a Sports and Recreation Facility." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1619791087681498

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouhonors1619791087681498
297
© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Honors Tutorial College and OhioLINK.