Shannon Hebblethwaite has been a full-time faculty member at Concordia since January 2008. After completing her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Guelph, Shannon and a B.A. in Recreation and Leisure Studies (Therapeutic Option) from the University of Waterloo, she went on to work as a Therapeutic Recreationist with older adults. Shannon then completed her Master’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Waterloo. Her research focused on the experience of community integration for older adults with mental health issues. She completed her PhD at the University of Guelph in the Department of Family Relations, studying the experience of family leisure among grandparents and their adult grandchildren. 

Education

PhD Family Relations & Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph
MA  Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo
BA  Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo
BA  Psychology, University of Guelph

Research interests

Intergenerational family leisure
The role of leisure in the transition to motherhood
The intersection of communication technology and ageing
The involvement of families in therapeutic recreation
The impact of therapeutic recreation for older adults
The impact of community based recreation for stroke survivors
Enhancing research and evaluation skills among therapeutic recreation professionals
Community integration for individuals with mental health issues

Recent publications

Hebblethwaite, S. (2017). The (in)visibility of older adults in digital leisure cultures. In

S. Carnicelli, D. McGillivray & G. McPherson (eds.), Digital Leisure Cultures: Critical

Perspectives (pp. 94-106). London: Routledge.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). Grandparents’ reflections on family leisure: “It keeps a family

together”. Journal of Leisure Research, Special Issue on Leisure in Later Life, 48(1), 69-

82.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). Understanding ambivalence in family leisure among

three-generation families: “It’s all part of the package”. In H. Schnzel & N. Carr (eds.),

Children, Families, and Leisure. London: Rutledge.

Ivan, L., & Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). Grannies on the net: Grandmothers’ experiences of

Facebook in family communication. Romanian Journal of Communication and Public

Relations, 18(1), 11-25.

Paterson, S., Trussell, D., Hebblethwaite, S., Evans, M., & Xing, T. (2016). Playing with

motherhood: The politics of leisure and the transition to motherhood in Montreal and

Toronto. Canadian Review of Social Policy, 74, 109-144.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2015). Grandparents’ reflections on family leisure: “It keeps a family

together”. Journal of Leisure Research, Special Issue on Leisure in Later Life, 48(1), 69-

82.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2015). Understanding ambivalence in family leisure among

three-generation families: “It’s all part of the package”. Annals of Leisure Research

Special Issue: Children, Families and Leisure, 18(3), 359-376. Guest Editors Heike

Schanzel & Neil Carr.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2015). Commentary: The professionalization of therapeutic recreation

in Quebec, Canada. World Leisure Journal Special Issue: Global Therapeutic

Recreation: Should the United States Therapeutic Recreation Profession and the United

States National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) be Replicated in

Other Nations? 57(1), 19-24.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Curley, L. (2015). Exploring the role of community recreation in stroke

recovery using participatory action research and photovoice. Therapeutic Recreation

Journal, 49(1), 1-17.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2013). "I think that it could work, but...": Tensions between the theory and practice of person-centered and relationship-centered care. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 47(1), 13-34.

Hebblethwaite, S., Curley, L. (2011). Enhancing recreation therapy practice through participatory action research. Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Research Annual, 8.

Hebblethwaite, S., Doyle, J. (2011). Social programs for survivors of TBI and stroke:  Evaluation of a community-based social recreation program.  Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Research Annual, 8.

Hebblethwaite, S. & Singleton, J.F. (2011).  Intergenerational programming.  In N.J. Stumbo & K.M. Kensinger (Eds.), Leisure Education and Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation Services.  State College, PA: Venture.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Norris, J. E.  (2011).  Expressions of generativity through family leisure: Experiences of grandparents and adult grandchildren.  Family Relations, 60(1), 121-133.

Hebblethwaite, S. & Norris, J. E. (2010).  “You don’t want to hurt his feelings”: Family leisure as a context for intergenerational ambivalence.  Journal of Leisure Research, 42(3), 489- 508.

Morden, P. A., Hebblethwaite, S., & Hopp, R.  (Eds.) (2008).  Book of Abstracts of the12th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research.  Montreal, QC:  Canadian Association of Leisure Studies.

Pratt, M. W., Norris, J. E., Cressman, K., Lawford, H., & Hebblethwaite, S.  (2008).  Parents’ stories of grandparenting concerns in the three-generational family: Generativity, optimism and forgiveness.  Journal of Personality, 76(3), 581-604. 

Pratt, M. W., Norris, J. E., & Hebblethwaite, S., & Arnold, M. L.  (2008).  Intergenerational transmission of values:  Family generativity and adolescents’narratives of parent and grandparent value teaching.  Journal of Personality,76(2), 171-198. 

Norris, J.E, Pratt, M.W. & Hebblethwaite, S.  (2006).  Social cognition.  In J.E. Birren (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Gerontology.  Toronto, ON:  Academic Press.

Hebblethwaite, S. & Pedlar, A.  (2005).  Community Integration for Older Adults With Mental Health Issues:  Implications for Therapeutic Recreation.  Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 39(4), 264-276.

Courses

AHSC 281
Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation

AHSC 381
Therapeutic Recreation Programming

AHSC 382
Qualitative Research Methods for Practitioners

Recent conference presentations

Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). Leisure and digital media in grandparent-grandchild

relationships: “I get to see that sweet little face!”. Age 3.0. Montreal, QC.

Ivan, L., & Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). Older people’s use of Facebook: A netnographic

research of an online community. 3rd International Sociological Association Forum,

Vienna, AT.

Hebblethwaite, S., Paterson, S., Trussell, D. E., Xing, T., & Evans, M. (2016). The

contested ‘state’ of leisure and public policy in the transition to motherhood. Centre for

Research on Family Relations. Edinburgh, UK.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). Upgrading your toolkit: Incorporating research into

therapeutic recreation practice. Joint conference of the Canadian Therapeutic

Recreation Association and Therapeutic Recreation Ontario.

Fortune, D., & Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). TR internships: Learning from the experience

of students. Joint conference of the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association and

Therapeutic Recreation Ontario.

Xing, T. M. K., Trussell, D. E., Paterson, S., Hebblethwaite, S., & Evans, M. (2015).

Interrogating the right to leisure: Exploring the implications of public policy in the

transition to motherhood. ANZALS 12th Biennial Conference. University of South

Australia, Australia.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2015). Making TR count: Using research to your advantage in

practice. Webinar for Therapeutic Recreation Ontario.

Hebblethwaite, S., Paterson, S., Trussell, D. E., Evans, M., & Xing, T. M. K. (2015).

Reflexivity and communication on an interdisciplinary research team: The role of

collaborative autoethnography. Qualitative Research in Communication. Bucharest,

Romania.

Ivan, L., & Hebblethwaite, S. (2015). The use of social media in family

communication among grandmothers and grandchildren. Qualitative Research in

Communication. Bucharest, Romania.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Ivan, L. (2015). Grannie’s on Facebook: Using online research

methods (netnography) to study family leisure. Leisure Studies Association Annual

Conference, Bournemouth, UK.

Trussell, D. E., Paterson, S., Hebblethwaite, S., Xing, T. M. K., & Evans, M. (2015).

Can we walk the walk? Negotiating the complexities and risks of an interdisciplinary

team in family research. Annual Conference of the Leisure Studies Association.

Bournemouth, UK.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2015). The (in)visibility of older adults on social media: Grannie’s on

Facebook? Canadian Communication Association Annual Conference, Ottawa, ON.

Paterson, S., Trussell, D. E., Hebblethwaite, S., Evans, M., & Xing, T. M. K. (2015).

Leveling the playing field but neglecting play? The state and the politics of leisure in the

transition to motherhood in Ontario and Quebec. Conference of the Canadian Political

Science Association. Ottawa, ON.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Ivan, L. (2015). Grannies on the net: Facilitating intergenerational

communication through Facebook. International Association of Gerontology and

Geriatrics: Irish Ageing Studies Review, 6(1), 271-272.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2014). Understanding ambivalence in family leisure among

three-generation families. World Leisure Congress, Mobile Bay, Alabama.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2014). Re-visioning leisure education using PAR and arts-based

methods. World Leisure Congress, Mobile Bay, Alabama.

Curley, L., & Hebblethwaite, S. (2012). 'If you don't have a purpose for it, it's not worth doing': The role of community-based therapeutic recreation in stroke recovery. Poster presented at the 2012 Stroke Collaborative of teh Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Toronto, ON.

Dieser, R.B., Hebblethwaite, S., Jones, D., Kumuri, F., Meyer, C., & Stavola Daly, F. (2012). Perspectives on NCTRC certification.  Panel presentation for the World Leisure Commission on Access and Inclustion presented by at the World Leisure Congress, Rimini, Italy.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2012). A tale of two settings: Three-generation family leisure in rural and urban contexts. Paper presented at the World Leisure Congress, Rimini, Italy.

Rose, H.A., & Hebblethwaite, S. (2012). It's not cool being in choir: Generational stake in a choral context. Paper presented at the World Leisure Congress, Rimini, Italy.

Singleton, J.F., Hebblethwaite, S., Trunzo, D., & Stavola, F. (2012). Empowering capacity. Panel presentation for the World Leisure Commission on Access and Inclusion presented at the World Leisure Congress, Rimini, Italy.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Curley, L. (June 2011). Yes I can!  Enhancing TR practice and empowering clients through research.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, Toronto, ON.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Doyle, J. (June 2011).  Taking hold of our future:  Evaluating programs for stroke survivors.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, Toronto, ON.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Curley, L. (May 2011).  I finally feel like I have a voice:  Using participatory action research and Photo Voice to empower recreation practitioners.  Paper presented at the 13th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research, St. Catharines, ON.

Hebblethwaite, S. (December 2010). Do we mean what we say?  Comparing person-centered care and relationship-centered care in theory and practice.  Paper presented at the Annual Education & Scientific Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, Montreal, QC.

Hebblethwaite, S., & Curley, L. (October 2010).  Empowering stroke survivors through action research.  Paper presented at the 16th Qualitative Health Research Conference. Vancouver, BC.

Hebblethwaite, S. (February 2010). Understanding relationship-centred care:  Implications for practice and policy. Paper presented at the Multidisciplinary Workshop on Research on Aging: Policy Implications. Montreal, QC: Concordia University Aging Research Network.

Hebblethwaite, S. (October 2009). Research (the dreaded word) and its role interprofessionally. Workshop presented to the Ontario Stroke Recreation Therapy Network, London, ON

Hebblethwaite, S. (July 2009). Commitment to connections: Exploring the meaning of leisure in grandparent-grandchild relationships. Poster presented at the 19th World Congress of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Paris, France

Hebblethwaite, S. (June 2009). More than just words? Understanding relationship-centred care in TR practice. Paper presented at the annual meeting of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, Waterloo, ON

Hebblethwaite, S. (April 2009). Don’t forget about us: Including families in Intergenerational programming. Workshop presented at the Alzheimer Society of Montreal Forget-Me-Not Interactive Workshop, Montreal, QC

Hebblethwaite, S. (November 2008). The family that plays together, stays together?  Understanding the implications from leisure research. Paper presented at theConcordia University Multidisciplinary Workshop on Population Ageing, Montreal, QC

Hebblethwaite, S. (November 2008). More than a simple checklist: Enhancing your evaluation skills. Workshop presented at the Quebec Association of Activity Professionals Annual Workshop, Montreal, QC

Hebblethwaite, S. (October 2008). “You don’t want to hurt his feelings”: Family leisure among grandparents and adult grandchildren. Paper presented at the World Leisure Congress, Quebec City, QC

Hebblethwaite, S. (May 2008). “I love him. Sometimes it’s just hard to like him I guess.”: Using the ambivalence model to understand intergenerational family leisure. Paper presented at the 12th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research, Montreal, QC