Pei-Chun Hsieh, PhD

Associate Professor, PhD, CTRS

Office: STH 336
905 688 5550 x6302
[email protected]

Dr. Pei-Chun Hsieh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University. Her research examines how leisure and therapeutic recreation contribute to well-being, flourishing, and quality of life across the lifespan. Her work has a particular focus on aging well in community settings, leisure coping and social support, and the role of leisure in supporting individuals living with chronic conditions and disabilities. As an international scholar, she is also interested in how cultural and social contexts shape leisure experiences, well-being, and access to meaningful participation.

As a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Dr. Hsieh brings both academic and professional perspectives to her teaching and research. She is committed to advancing evidence-based practice in therapeutic recreation and supporting the development of research that strengthens the profession. She currently serves as Member-at-Large for the Research Awards Committee of the Recreational Therapy Foundation.

Research Interests

  • Leisure, well-being, and quality of life across the lifespan
  • Leisure and aging
  • Leisure coping, social support, and loneliness
  • Community-based leisure and therapeutic recreation interventions
  • Therapeutic recreation for individuals living with chronic conditions and disabilities
  • Cultural and social influences on leisure experiences, well-being, and meaningful participation

Professional Affiliations, Accreditations and Certificates

Affiliations

  • Member, Canadian Association for Leisure Studies
  • Member, Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association
  • Member, American Therapeutic Recreation Association

Certification

  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification

Academic Distinctions and Awards

Recipient, Brock University Chancellor’s Chair for Teaching Excellence, 2025

Scholarly Publications

  • Hsieh, P., & Lin, L.-J. (2025). Dyadic recreation interventions for older adults with dementia and their family caregivers: Two case reports. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 59(4), 389–407.
  • Anderson, L., Linda, H., & Hsieh, P. (2024). Testing the validity of the Flourishing through Leisure Model: Relationship of leisure to well-being. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 58(2), 155–173.
  • Chang, L.-C., Dattilo, J., Hsieh, P., & Huang, F.-H. (2023). Gratitude mediates the relationship between leisure social support and loneliness among first-year university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. Journal of Leisure Research, 54, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2023.2215774
  • Chang, L.-C., Hsieh, P., & Huang, F.-H. (2023). Do walking and social support always relate to autonomic nervous system function in later life? Reexamining an age-based moderating model. Geriatric Nursing, 51, 346–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.03.029
  • Kuhr, A., Hsieh, P., & McClure, M. (2023). The lived experience of young adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative content analysis study. Journal of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, 17, 30–47.
  • Chang, L.-C., Dattilo, J., Hsieh, P., & Huang, F.-H. (2021). Age moderates the relationship between flow and loneliness among nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Geriatric Nursing, 42(6), 1454–1460.
  • Hsieh, P., Cunnington, A., & Bolibruck, T. (2021). Service learning in times of crisis: The case of making connections during the pandemic. SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/1937156X.2021.1962223
  • Hsieh, P., Tivadar, C., Hoetmer, S., Yunick, A., & Pyne, L. (2020). The effects of a community-based aquatic exercise program on physical function in adults with chronic conditions. Journal of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, 14, 96–107.

Teaching and Service

Teaching

  • AHSC 5P32: Leisure, Health, and Well-Being
  • RECL 2P02: Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation
  • RECL 2P07: Introduction to Research Design and Evaluation
  • RECL 2P52: Therapeutic Recreation and Persons with Disabilities
  • RECL 3P12: Leisure and Aging
  • RECL 3P32: Therapeutic Recreation Program Planning
  • RECL 3P62: Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation

Service

  • Member, Brock University Research Ethics Board (2025-2027)
  • Member-at-Large, Research Awards Committee, Recreational Therapy Foundation
  • Co-Chair, International Coalition, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
  • Editorial Review Board Member, Therapeutic Recreation Journal (2025–2029)
  • Associate Editor, ATRA Annual in Therapeutic Recreation (2023–2026)

Undergraduate Student Opportunities

I am open to supervising and mentoring undergraduate students from a wide range of degree programs. If you are interested in completing a directed study or undertaking an undergraduate thesis project related to leisure, well-being, and quality of life, please contact me at [email protected] to discuss potential opportunities.

Graduate Student Opportunities

I welcome opportunities to supervise graduate students with research interests in leisure, aging, therapeutic recreation, and quality of life. If you are interested in Master’s or Doctoral supervision, or in having me serve on your supervisory committee, please contact me at [email protected].