Damien Cavanaugh

Education

• PhD: Recreation, Sport, and Tourism | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2024)
• MS: Recreation Management and Youth Leadership | Brigham Young University (2016)
• BS: Recreation Management: Therapeutic Recreation Emphasis | Brigham Youth University (2011)

Teaching Experience

• Leisure Education
• Intervention Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation
• Outdoor Pursuits
• Leisure and Aging
• Internship and Practicum
• Therapeutic Recreation Services

Research 

His primary research interest is in socio-emotional health and quality of life–specifically looking at sexuality at the nexus of leisure and health. He is also interested in how couples and family’s leisure engagement impacts their quality of life and the constraints they face in their recreation participation.

Selected Publications

Bobitt, J., Byers, C., Hofer, M., Gothe, N. P., Cavanaugh, D., & Payne, L. (2024). Wits Wellness Facilitates Engagement and Self-Efficacy for Practicing Healthy Behaviors. “Activities, Adaptation & Aging,” 1-22.

Berdychevsky, L., Cavanaugh, D., & Dariotis, J. (2023). Psychological, socio-demographic, and logistical factors associated with changes in sex life after over a year into the Covid-19 pandemic. “International Journal of Sexual Health,” 35(2), 263-283. DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2023.2193568

Payne, L., Schaumleffel, N., Cavanaugh, D., & Lee, M. (2023). Leisure, health and physical activity. In: M. Stodolska, D. Scott, & T. Liechty (Eds.). “Leisure Matters: Exploring Leisure in a Changing World.” Sagamore Venture Publishing, Inc.

Selected Presentations

Berdychevsky, L., & Cavanaugh, D. (2024). Sexual Leisure and Profiles of Coping with the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sex Life. “The Academy of Leisure Sciences.” New Orleans, Louisiana.

Berdychevsky, L., Clough, B., Cavanaugh, D., & Dariotis, J. (2021). COVID-19’s Impacts of on Sex Life and Related Coping Mechanisms. “Proceedings of the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.” Online

Cavanaugh, D. (2021). Is Porn Leisure: A Qualitative Approach. Proceedings of the 17th “International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry.” University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign