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Wilderness therapy intervention with adolescents: Exploring the process of change

The environment plays a key role in the change that occurs in adolescents as they participate in a Wilderness Therapy program

The aim of this study was to understand the process of change that occurs within adolescents as they participate in a Wilderness Therapy (WT) program. WT, while fitting within the larger field of wilderness experience programs, has some specific features that make it unique within the field. These features include a therapeutic focus on assessing and treating behavior problems. The treatment – or intervention – includes immersion in a wilderness setting over a period of time with peers and wilderness/therapeutic guides.

Eleven adolescents (age 10 – 17) participated in interviews after completing a WT program in Ireland. Not all the participants were in the same group; and the length of their programs varied from 3 days to 10 months. The average length was 5.3 months. Ten of the participants completed their entire program; one dropped out after 3 days. The researchers used an informal, conversational approach in conducting the interviews. The intent was to capture participants’ own perspectives of their WT experiences. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. In analyzing the data, the researchers looked for (1) the necessary conditions which enabled the adolescents to participate in the WT program and (2) interactive factors promoting personal development and change during their participation in the program.

Having choice and control over their participation proved to be an important factor in the adolescents’ willingness to participate. Other important factors included feeling heard, valued, and cared for by the leaders. An interactive factor contributing to the adolescents’ success – which included increases in self-worth, self-esteem, and efficacy – was the leaders’ level of support and encouragement during activities. The leaders demonstrated skill and sensitivity in avoiding too much support — which could keep participants from experiencing pride in their achievement — and too little support — which could lead to the experience of failure.

Positive gains made by all the participants who completed the program included improvements in social skills, anger management, and self-efficacy. The environment was identified as one of three core factors enabling personal development. The other two were relationships and activities. The environment not only separated the young people from their usual negative perceptions of their lives and everyday world, but also inspired feelings of awe and happiness.

Citation

Conlon, C.M., Wilson, C.E., Gaffney, P., Stoker, M., (2018). Wilderness therapy intervention with adolescents: Exploring the process of change. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2018.1474118

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