Impacts of Adventure-Based Counseling Training on the Young Olds

Abstract

It is commonly believed that Adventure-based Counseling (ABC) training is intended for young people who are active and energetic. The St. James' Settlement (an NGO) in Hong Kong, however, believes that such training can also have positive effects on the young olds (individuals aged 50–65). A group of young old trainees was recruited from the community to help implement related activities to elderly members of this NGO. Their general health condition, levels of life satisfaction, optimism, and self-efficacy were measured before and after the training, and a control group was also recruited. The results show that the ABC training had significant impacts on the life satisfaction, optimism, and self-efficacy levels of the young old trainees. Recommendations are made at the end of the paper.

Helping Adolescents with Greater Psychosocial Needs: Subjective Outcome Evaluation Based on Different Cohorts

“…Regarding the different modes of Tier 2 Programs, although previous studies showed that ABC and VTS were the two major modes involved [ 9 – 13 ], comparative analyses were not meaningful because of the variations in the unique design of programs for different schools. As far as ABC is concerned, it is an approach that attempts to integrate adventure, wilderness, and experiential learning, as well as individual and group counseling [ 18 – 21 ]. According to this approach, when an adolescent with a disequilibrium in personal development is put into an environment that is strange and requires cooperation (i.e., adventure environment), the tasks designed to provide adventure experiences will lead to transformation in the participant, including changes in self-confidence and self-understanding, as well as cooperation with others [ 21 – 25 ].…”

“…As far as ABC is concerned, it is an approach that attempts to integrate adventure, wilderness, and experiential learning, as well as individual and group counseling [ 18 – 21 ]. According to this approach, when an adolescent with a disequilibrium in personal development is put into an environment that is strange and requires cooperation (i.e., adventure environment), the tasks designed to provide adventure experiences will lead to transformation in the participant, including changes in self-confidence and self-understanding, as well as cooperation with others [ 21 – 25 ]. According to Schoel et al [ 26 ], ABC promotes life skills in the participants, including communication skills, cooperation, and decision-making and problem-solving skills.…”