The Effects of Wilderness Therapy on the Clinical Concerns (on Axes I, II, and IV) of Troubled Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to empirically evaluate the effects of a 21-day wilderness therapy program (WT) on the defense styles, perceived psychosocial stressors (expressed concerns), dysfunctional per sonality patterns, clinical syndromes, and maladaptive behaviors of 109 troubled adolescents, as measured by the Defense Style Questionnaire-40, Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI), and Youth Outcome Questionnaire-2.0 (Millon, 1997); and (b) to begin to identify the types of clinical concerns on Axes I, II, and IV for which wilderness therapy is most effective. Wilderness therapy resulted in statistically significant improve ment on immature defense and maladaptive behavior scores, and on the Expressed Concerns, dysfunctional Personality Patterns, and Clinical Syndromes scores of subjects. Moderate to large effect sizes were found for a wide range of clinical concerns on Axes I, II, and IV. The most striking finding of this study is that WT appears to facilitate positive characterological change in adolescents with clinically elevated MACI Personality Patterns scores. Short-term interventions leading to characterological change are virtually unheard of in the personality literature. Future research is needed to confirm whether or not WT is effective for treating budding personality disorders.

Exploring the Process of a Therapeutic Wilderness Experience: Key Components in the Treatment of Adolescent Depression and Psychosocial Development

“…Also, follow-up research was not conducted, so the long-term effects on participants' moods were not measured. However, another wilderness therapy study using the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory also noted pre-to post-intervention decreases in the area of depressive feelings and symptoms (Clark, Marmol, Cooley, & Gathercoal, 2004). Russell (2003) examined the pre- to post-test outcomes of wilderness therapy participants' scores on the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ).…”

Wilderness Therapy as a Specialized Competency

“…Numerous studies suggest that wilderness and adventure based therapy is effective in treating a range of issues relevant to mental health with a variety of age groups and populations (Bedard, 2005;Clark, Marmol, Cooley, & Gathercoal, 2004;Hattie, Marsh, Neill, & Richards, 1997;Nadler & Luckner, 1992;Neill, 2003;Wilson & Lipsey, 2000) For instance, Wilson and Lipsey conducted a meta-analysis of 28 studies that utilized a control group in the evaluation of the effectiveness of wilderness challenge programs for delinquent adolescents between the ages of 10 to 18. The overall mean effect size was 0.18 for delinquency outcomes, which equals a recidivism rate of 29% for wilderness program participants and 37% for the control group.…”

Wild epiphany: Turning youth care inside out.

“…Some of the various incarnations of wilderness therapy will be documented within this portion of the literature review. Recognition exists amongst a number of theorists that numerous benefits for youth can be derived from the employment of wilderness therapy programming (Bruyere, 2002;Clark, Marmol, Cooley, & Gathercoal, 2004;Russell, 2003;Unger, Dumond, & McDonald, 2005). Given the increasing concern within society, in regards to environmental issues, specific benefits associated with fostering environmental concern amongst youth has become an increasingly examined topic in literature centered around wilderness programs (Baker, 2005;Beringer, 2004;Yoshino, 2005).…”

“…Another study, conducted by Clark, et al (2004), examined the effects of wilderness therapy on the clinical concerns (on axis I, II, and IV) of troubled adolescents. The researchers hypothesized that wilderness therapy would facilitate change:…”

“…Seeking to confirm the work of Clark et al (2004), Sheard and Golby (2006) examined six different aspects of personality using a similar number of measurement tools. Sheard and Golby (2006) examined mental toughness, using the Psychological Performance Inventory, hardiness, using the Personal Views Survey, dispositional optimism, using the Life Orientation Test, self esteem, using the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, self efficacy, using the Generalized Self Efficacy Scale, and positive and negative affectivity, using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.…”