Outdoor adventure for young people with a mental illness

Abstract

Increased self-esteem and mastery, and achievement of personal goals gained through the OAG, may facilitate, or be a precursor to, a young person's psychosocial recovery.

The Youth Adventure Programming Model

“…A multitude of positive outcomes have been attributed to adventure programs. Improvements have been found in self‐concept and attitude (Beames, ; Cook, ; Draper et al., ; Ewert & Yoshino, ; Gillespie & Allen‐Craig, ; Hattie et al., ; Neill & Dias, ; Schell, Cotton, & Luxmoore, ; Shellman & Ewert, ; Wang, Liu, & Kahlid, ). Participants have also demonstrated skill development, especially with regard to communication, leadership, and teamwork (Hattie et al., ; Wang et al., ; Whittington & Mack, ).…”

Adventure Camps for Young Adults and Adults With Mental Illness

“…For example, at Orygen Youth Health, a yearly 10week outdoor adventure therapy program is run in conduction with Outdoors Inc, a non-profit state wide recreational provider. Similar to the outcomes reported here, participants in the 10-week program experience a greater sense of self-esteem, accomplishment, and mastery (33) Participants also reported significant changes in terms of self-improvement, being able to socialise with others, social skills development, being able to manage symptoms, and to manage time more effectively (33).…”

“…Psychosocial impairment is common in adolescents and young adults who are first experiencing mental illness such as depression (32). Indeed mental illness can impact on important developmental tasks include socializing with friends, attending school, and/or pursuing vocational goals (33). By providing a nurturing and supportive environment, and supporting social skill development, social anxiety may be reduced.…”

Effects of the PCYC Catalyst outdoor adventure intervention program on youths' life skills, mental health, and delinquent behaviour

“…Neill which enhances personal growth and strengthens connections to others and community (Pryor, Carpenter, & Townsend, 2005;Pryor & Field, 2007). Three important outcome categories which have received attention in OAI literature are life effectiveness (capacity to adapt, survive, and thrive), mental health (psychological state and level of mental functioning), and delinquent behaviour (capability of a person to act within and adjust to their environment; e.g., Neill, 2008;Schell, Cotton, & Luxmoore, 2012;Tucker, Zelov, & Young, 2011). Bowen and Neill's (2013b) meta-analysis for these outcome categories for 10 -17-year olds indicated significant positive small to moderate short-term increases in life effectiveness (0.37), mental health (0.46), and behavioural functioning (0.39).…”