Jennifer Livengood
Assistant Professor

Ph.D. in Leisure Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

B.A. in Psychology, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

M.S.W. (Masters in Social Work), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Contact:
Office: 702-895-2734
jennifer.livengood@unlv.edu

Research and Professional Interests:

My research interests focus on non-profit organizations, specifically religious organizations and the way in which they provide leisure services to their members and to the general community. I am also interested in the interpretations of leisure and recreational events by the church attendees and whether leisure within the religious context and space is the primary place for recreation for those individuals. Moreover, my research focuses on the psychological and wellness aspects of religion that may occur within a leisure setting, specifically, the coping resources available to those affiliated with a particular religion, and the social and emotional ties people maintain with fellow congregants. Professionally, I have experience as a leisure planner and programmer  for culturally and religiously diverse populations including the University of Illinois Family and Graduate Housing and the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation. My professional interests have also led me to participate as a crisis line training facilitator and volunteer.


Selected Conference Presentations:

Livengood, J. S. (October 2006). Perceptions of leisure constraints by members of New Paradigm Churches. Paper presented at the 2006 NRPA Leisure Research Symposium in Seattle, WA.

Livengood, J. S. (2006). Spirituality and Leisure Among New Paradigm Christians: Biblical Connections. Paper presented at the Christian Society For Kinesiology and Leisure Studies Summer Conference, Wenham, MA.

Stodolska, M., & Livengood, J. S. (2003). The effects of Islam on leisure behavior and the use of community recreation resources by American Muslim immigrants. Paper presented at the 2003 NRPA Leisure Research Symposium in St. Louis, MO.

Livengood, J. S, & Stodolska, M. (2003). Leisure behavior and travel patterns of Muslim-Americans in response to the events of September 11. Paper presented at the 99th Association of American Geographers Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Selected Publications:

Stodolska, M., & Livengood, J. S. (2006). The effects of religion on the leisure behavior of American Muslim immigrants. Journal of Leisure Research, 38, 293-320.

Livengood, J. S., & Stodolska, M. (2004). The effects of discrimination and constraints negotiation on leisure behavior of American Muslims in the post-September 11 America. Journal of Leisure Research, 36, 183-208.

Livengood, J.S. (in preparation). Perceived leisure constraints of New Paradigm Christians. To be submitted to Journal of Leisure Research.

Livengood, J.S. (in preparation). Leisure programming within the New Paradigm Church. To be submitted to Journal of Parks and Recreation Administration.

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