A Meta-analysis of Wilderness Therapy Outcomes for Private Pay Clients

Abstract

Wilderness therapy is becoming a more widely used intervention for adolescents, but there have not been any meta-analyses focused solely on its clinical effectiveness for private pay clients. This study's objective was to conduct outcome-based meta-analyses of private-pay wilderness therapy programs, benchmark primary features of this approach, and educate the clinical community as to its effectiveness. The authors conducted a review of all available databases, as well as manual searches. Searches resulted in a meta-analysis based on 36 studies, totaling 2399 participants receiving wilderness therapy. Our metaanalyses found medium effect sizes for all six constructs assessed: self-esteem (g = 0.49), locus of control (g = 0.55), behavioral observations (g = 0.75), personal effectiveness (g = 0.46), clinical measures (g = 0.50) and interpersonal measures (g = 0.54). Subgroup analyses included age of participants, duration of program, open or closed model, presence of a mental health practitioner, and publication year.

Young Adults in Transition: Factors That Support and Hinder Growth and Change

“…There is evidence shown by the NATSAP Practice Research Network (PRN) that wilderness and residential treatment provide the structure and environment conducive to interpersonal work and effective outcomes (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, n.d.-a). This study shows evidence of similar findings around effective outcomes in a transition model as found within the PRN studies particularly in the areas of self-esteem, behavioral changes, personal effectiveness, clinical symptomology, interpersonal skills (Bettman et al, 2016) and experiential education . Further research would be needed to understand what role the transition model plays in maintaining and supporting wilderness outcomes.…”

“…Research Network (PRN), examined outcomes associated with outdoor behavioral healthcare interventions and showed effectiveness of specific private pay wilderness therapy programs (DeMille & Burdict, 2015;Gillis, Kivlighan, & Russell, 2016;Hoag, Combs, Roberts, & Logan, 2016;Leichtman & Leichtmen, 2001;Leichtman, Leichtman, Barber, & Neese, 2001;Lewis, 2007;Magle-Haberek, Tucker, & Gass, 2012;Russell, 2000Russell, , 2003aRussell, , 2005Russell, , 2008Russell & Gillis, 2010;Russell & Harper, 2006;Russell & Phillips-Miller, 2002;Russell & Sibthorp, 2004;Tucker, Javorski, Tracy, & Beale, 2013;Tucker, Zelov, & Young, 2011;Young & Gass, 2008, 2010Zakriski, Wright, & Underwood, 2005). To date, only one meta-analysis has been conducted on outcomes for private pay wilderness therapy clients (Bettman, Gillis, Speelman, Parry, & Case, 2016). The results indicate that private-pay wilderness therapy programs show medium sized effects in the areas of self-esteem, locus of control, behavioral changes, personal effectiveness, clinical symptomology, and interpersonal skills.…”

“…Most of the major research initiatives come out of collaborative work with the OBH Center and the NATSAP PRN. These initiatives combine to provide a growing base of research that supports positive outcomes for private therapeutic programs (Behrens et al, 2010;Behrens, & Satterfield, 2007;Bettman et al, 2016;Hoag et al, 2016;Koperski, Tucker, Lung, & Gass, 2015;Liermann & Norton, 2016;Russell, 2000Russell, , 2003aRussell, , 2003bRussell et al, 2008;Russell & Sibthorp, 2004;Tucker, Norton, DeMille, & Hobson, 2016;Tucker, Paul, Hobson, Karoff, & Gass, 2016).…”

De quelles preuves scientifiques disposons-nous concernant les effets des forêts et des arbres sur la santé et le bien-être humains ?

“…Quantités d'études laissent supposer que l'enseignement en plein air et les interventions comportementales en extérieur améliorent les paramètres psychosociaux, notamment la maîtrise de soi, la confiance, l'autonomie et l'autoefficacité, de même que l'état psychologique et le niveau de fonctionnement mental, notamment les niveaux d'anxiété et le lieu de contrôle [8,12,16,20,57,129]. Bedard [8], par exemple, a comparé les modifications de l'estime de soi et du concept de soi chez des jeunes délinquants ayant participé à une intervention comportementale en plein air et chez des jeunes délinquants relevant de mesures classiques de mise à l'épreuve et de réinsertion.…”

“…Remarque : La majorité des études d'origine prises en compte dans les méta-analyses de Bedard[8], de Bettmann et al[12] sont également couvertes par les méta-analyses de Bowen et Neill[16]. Étant donné que celles de Bedard[8] et de Bettmann et al[12] portaient sur des groupes cibles différents, il y a très peu de chevauchement entre elles : seule une étude originale est prise en compte par les deux.Document téléchargé depuis www.cairn.info ---44.224.250.200 -09/07/2020 00:14 -© S.F.S.P. Document téléchargé depuis www.cairn.info ---44.224.250.200 -09/07/2020 00:14 -© S.F.S.P.…”