ERIC Number: EJ955774
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1472-9679
EISSN: N/A
Effects of an Outdoor Education Intervention on the Mental Health of Schoolchildren
Gustafsson, Per E.; Szczepanski, Anders; Nelson, Nina; Gustafsson, Per A.
Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, v12 n1 p63-79 2012
This study aimed at examining the effects of an outdoor educational intervention on the mental health of schoolchildren. Two elementary schools participated (N = 230); one experimental school where the intervention was implemented, and the other a reference school. Demographic questions and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were completed by the parents. An outdoor educational intervention was implemented at the experimental school, and the data collection was repeated after one year. The results point towards a small but non-significant improvement in mental health at the experimental school while adjusting for demographics. However, this effect was significantly moderated by gender: boys generally fared better than girls at the intervention school, relative to the reference school. The results indicate that it may be important to address gender issues when educational programmes are implemented in schools. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Outdoor Education, Experimental Schools, Intervention, Mental Health, Gender Issues, Elementary School Students, Questionnaires, Parent Attitudes, Gender Differences, Program Implementation
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A