ERIC Number: EJ1116335
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Apr
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2206-3110
EISSN: N/A
Exploring Adventure Therapy as an Early Intervention for Struggling Adolescents
Dobud, Will
Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, v19 n1 Apr 2016
This paper presents an account of a research project that explored the experiences of adolescents struggling with behavioral and emotional issues, who participated in a 14-day adventure therapy program in Australia referred to by the pseudonym, "Onward Adventures". All participants of this program over the age of 16 who completed within the last two years were asked to complete a survey. The qualitative surveys were designed to question participants' and parents' perceptions of the program (pre- and post-), the relationships (therapeutic alliance) built with program therapists, follow-up support, and outcomes of the program. Both participants and parents reported strong relationships with program leaders, stressed the importance of effective follow-up services, and perceived positive outcomes when it came to self-esteem and social skills, seeing comparable improvement in self-concept, overall behavior, and coping skills.
Descriptors: Adventure Education, Outdoor Education, Adolescents, Surveys, Attitude Measures, Parent Attitudes, Program Effectiveness, Student Attitudes, Self Concept, Coping, Interpersonal Competence, Self Esteem, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A