Promoting Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through Outdoor Youth Programs: Results From a Multisite Australian Study

Authors

  • Lauren Rose University of Melbourne
  • Ian R. Williams Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  • Craig A. Olsson Deakin University Geelong, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Department of Health; Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Centre for Adolescent Health; The University of Melbourne, Psychological Sciences and Department of Paediatrics; Royal Children’s Hospital Parkville Victoria Australia.
  • Nicholas B. Allen University of Oregon, Eugene

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2018-V10-I1-8087

Keywords:

Australia, outdoor youth programs, well-being, adolescent, methodology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which participation in structured outdoor programs is associated with improvements in adolescent health and well-being. Students (n = 160) were recruited from three secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. Adolescents completed online surveys 3 weeks before camp (Time 1), 1 week before camp (Time 2), and 1 week after camp (Time 3). Positive changes were observed on some indicators of emotional well-being (fear and self-efficacy), as well as peer and school connectedness. No camp effects were found for depression, aggression, well-being, friend connectedness, teacher connectedness, and nature connectedness. Results support the view that structured outdoor programs may have a beneficial effect on well-being. However, effects were not ubiquitous (they were domain specific), which warrants further investigation. 

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Published

2018-01-25

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2018): Special Issue: International Perspectives in Outdoor Education Research

Section

Regular Papers

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