Abstract
This study examined the wilderness therapy process in order to better understand how the intervention effects change in problem behavior of adolescent clients. A review of literature reveals multiple definitions of wilderness therapy, numerous studies evaluating treatment outcomes, and a need to focus research on how the process facilitates change. This study investigated four established wilderness therapy programs using a multisite case study approach and a variety of qualitative data collection methods to carefully examine the wilderness therapy experience of 12 clients in four wilderness therapy programs. Findings indicate that physical exercise and hiking, primitive wilderness living, peer feedback facilitated by group counseling sessions, and the therapeutic relationship established with wilderness guides and therapists were key change agents for adolescents. These factors helped adolescents come to terms with their behavior and facilitated a desire to want to change for the better.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adler, P. A., & Adler, P. (1994). Observational techniques. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Bandoroff, S. (1989). Wilderness therapy for delinquent and pre-delinquent youth: A review of the literature. (ERIC ED377428): University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
Bordin, E. S. (1979). The generalizability of psychoanalytic concept of the working alliance. Psychotherapy, 16, 252–260.
Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five traditions.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Erlandson, D. A., Harris, E. L., Skipper, B. L., & Allen, S. D. (1993). Doing naturalistic inquiry—A guide to methods. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
Ewert, A., & Heywood, J. (1991). Group development in the natural environment: Expectations, outcomes and techniques. Journal of Environment and Behavior, 23(5), 592–615.
Fontana, A., & Frey, J. H. (1994). Interviewing: The art of science. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Gass, M. (1993). Adventure Therapy: Therapeutic applications of adventure programming. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago, IL: Aldine.
Guba, E., & Lincoln, Y. (1993). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Hattie, J., Marsh, H. W., Neill, J. T., & Richards, G. E. (1997). Adventure education and Outward Bound: Out-of-class experiences that make a lasting difference. Review of Educational Research, 67(1), 43–87.
Hoag, M., & Burlingame, G. (1997). Child and adolescent group psychotherapy: a narra-tive review of effectiveness and the case for meta-analysis. Journal of Child and Adolescent Group Therapy, 7(2), 51–68.
Horowitz, M. J., Marmar, G., Weiss, D., Dweitt, K. N., & Rosenbaum, R. (1984). Brief psychotherapy of bereavement reactions: The relationship of process to outcome. Archives of General Psychotherapy, 41, 438–448.
Howard, T. A. (1984). Outward Bound in alcohol treatment in mental health. A compilation of literature. Greenwich, CT: Outward Bound, Inc.
Kimball, R. (1983). The wilderness as therapy. Journal of Experiential Education, 6(3), 7–16.
Kokotovic, A. M., & Tracey, T. J. (1990). Working alliance in the early phase of counselor. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 37, 16–12.
Loughmiller, C. (1965). Wilderness road. Austin, TX: Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.
Marsh, H., Richards, G., & Barnes, J. (1984). Multi-dimensional self concepts: The effects of participation in an Outward Bound program. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50(1), 195–204.
Marsh, H. W., Richards, G. E., & Barnes, J. (1986). Multi-dimensional self concepts: A long term follow-up of the effect of participation in an Outward Bound program. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 12, 475–492.
Mulvey, E., Arthur, M., & Repucci, N. (1993). The preventment and treatment of juvenile delinquency: A review of the research. Clinical Psychology Review, 13, 133–167.
Raue, P., Goldfried, M. G., & Barkham, M. (1997). The therapeutic alliance in psychody-namic— interpersonal and cognitive—behavioral therapy. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 65(4), 582–587.
Richards, T., & Richards, L. (1994). Using computers in qualitative analysis. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative researc h. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Saunders, S. M. (2000). Examining the relationship between the therapeutic bond and the phases of treatment outcome. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 37(3), 206–218.
Van Gennep, A. (1960). The rites of passage.Chicago IL: The University of Chicago Press.
Winterdyk, J., & Griffiths, C. (1984). Wilderness experience programs: reforming delin-quents or beating around the bush? Juvenile and Family Court Journal, Fall, 35–44.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Russell, K.C., Phillips-Miller, D. Perspectives on the Wilderness Therapy Process and Its Relation to Outcome. Child & Youth Care Forum 31, 415–437 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021110417119
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021110417119