Elevated self-esteem 12 months following a 10-day developmental voyage (original) (raw)

Satisfying psychological needs on the high seas: explaining increases self-esteem following an Adventure Education Programme

Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 2017

A number of recent studies have revealed that taking part in a sailtraining-based Adventure Education Programme elevates youths' selfesteem. Across two studies, we sought to examine the extent to which youths' sense of belonging contributed to this increase in self-esteem. Study 1 revealed that participants who completed the voyage showed an increase in self-esteem from the first to the last day of the voyage. Partial correlation revealed that group belonging made a unique contribution to this change. Study 2 replicated Study 1 and, further, demonstrated that the relationship between group belonging and self-esteem was not a function of self-efficacy or group esteem. Such findings suggest that an important contributing factor to the benefits of sail-training interventions is their potential to satisfy psychological needs, in this case the need to belong.

Effects of a Developmental Adventure on the Self-Esteem of College Students

Journal of Experiential Education, 2013

This study examines the effects of outdoor developmental adventure programming (ODA) on college students' self-esteem. Although some previous studies have shown that outdoor adventure programming has positive effects on self-esteem, others did not find any effect. A quasi-experimental study was conducted over 5 months, which included two pretests and two posttests to address some limitations of previous studies. A total of 84 participants completed the Questionnaire d'estime de soi hiérarchique, a questionnaire assessing self-esteem on four occasions. The experimental group (outdoor adventure; n = 32) was compared with the control groups (travel, n = 17; soccer, n = 35) using repeated measures of covariance analyses. Positive and significant increases were found for the athletic dimension of self-esteem and for global self-esteem for the experimental group (outdoor adventure) only. The increased benefits provided by the combination of adventure and sports in ODA, over sports-only or traveling-only interventions, underline the importance of developing ODA with college students.

Effects of a tall ship sail training experience on adolescents' self-concept

International Journal of Educational Research, 2013

This study investigates the impact of a sail training education programme on the selfconcept of a group of 147 adolescents. The Competence and Social domains of Bracken's self-concept scale were assessed by a quasi-experimental design in three phases: before commencement of the activities, on the last day of the voyage, and three months after completion of the program. A significant difference (Competence: Effect Size 0.2, p<.001; Social: Effect Size 0.23, p<.05) was identified soon after the sail experience, but this effect was only temporary. Our analysis was confirmed by a bootstrapping technique. Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological theory was used as a general interpretative framework in order to identify personal and environmental factors that can sustain developmental changes over time.

Positive youth development in Māori and New Zealand European adolescents through an adventure education programme

Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 2018

Within Aotearoa New Zealand there is growing interest in positive youth development (PYD). A PYD approach provides balance to narratives surrounding outcomes for youth and broadens our views of what we consider beneficial developmental outcomes. In the current study we used sail training as a method to promote PYD in Māori and New Zealand European adolescents. Specifically, 54 Māori and 37 New Zealand European adolescents completed the 7-day youth-development voyage on-board the gaffed rigged schooner, R. Tucker Thompson. We demonstrate that, for both Māori and New Zealand European adolescents, psychological resilience, self-esteem, and positive outlook on life increased from the first day to the last day of the voyage. In addition, we demonstrate that the increases in psychological resilience were driven by the social/collective identity adolescents formed with their group over the course of the voyage.

Panacea or Poison? Building Self-Esteem through Adventure Experiences

1997

Many outdoor educators and adventure therapists share the belief that adventure experiences improve participant self-esteem. Recently, researchers have begun to question this widespread belief, suggesting that a mismatch between the level of physical or psychological risk and the level of client readiness may produce negative outcomes. A study of 61 college students in South Australia examined the effects on self-esteem of participation in an adventure learning course based on Group Adventure Initiative Tasks (GAITS). The experimental group participated in a 15-week college course on group dynamics incorporating GAITS, a series of group adventure tasks such as "spider's web" that require minimal equipment and no specialized skills from participants. Each 2-hour task was followed by a debriefing that explored the processes used to complete the task and participant behaviors within the task. A control group studied group dynamics in a lecture/tutorial format. Pretests and posttests with the Coppersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) found no significant change in self-esteem in either group. Experimental participants were categorized as very low, low, moderate, or high self-esteem according to their pretest SEI scores. At posttest, self-esteem was unchanged in the very low group, increased in the low and moderate groups, and decreased in the high group. Subgroup behaviors and participant perceptions of course effects on their own self-esteem are discussed. (Contains 17 references.) (SV)

The psychological process of reintegration following a nine month/260 day solo sailboat circumnavigation of the globe

Scandinavian journal of psychology, 2015

The focus of this case report is on the psychological reintegration process following the achievement of a highly challenging long-duration and solitary endeavor. The participant was a 29 year old male who successfully circumnavigated the globe during a 260 day solo sailing expedition. We assessed the psychological aftermath in terms of stability and change in personality characteristics and personal beliefs prior to, and at 180 and 360 days after the completion of the journey. Overall, the personality configuration reflected adaptive personality functioning. A belief in an internal locus of control was consistent throughout, as were perceptions of personal growth as a result of the circumnavigation experience. NEO PI-R Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, and Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (Tri-PM) Boldness scores remained stable. Positive personality change was reflected by an elevation in Conscientiousness; negative change by a decline in Agreeableness and an increase in Tri-PM Di...

Allison, P., Martindale, R., Stott, T., Nash, C., Gray, S., MacArthur, N. & Wang, J. (2013). Personal development through expeditions: An exploratory study. Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh.

A key aim of many expeditions is to facilitate personal development, however, while there is much anecdotal evidence that this is the case, there is less empirical work that explores the exact nature of such benefits. As such, this exploratory study examined three summer BES expeditions (Norway, Namibia & Amazon) on 122 young people (aged between 16 and 22) using mixed methods methodology. Open ended and likert scale survey questions (on line) and interviews were used alongside the measurement of four psychological attributes associated with effective character development and motivation -mental toughness, coping skills, GRIT and leadership skills. Surveys were filled out at 3 stages; 1) pre expedition, 2) immediately post expedition and 3) three months post expedition, with interviews completed post final survey. Results indicated that the expeditions impacted positively on the psychological attributes of young people, with lasting effects. Specifically, the quantitative analysis revealed a significant difference and large effect size for increased 'use of coping strategies' (P< 0.05; ηp 2 .29) and large effects were also found for improved leadership (ηp 2 .23), GRIT (ηp 2 .17) and mental toughness (ηp 2 .16). Furthermore, data suggested there might be a differential impact of 5-week over 3-week expeditions. However, due to the exploratory nature of this work and the small numbers involved in analysis, interpretation needs to be taken with caution and further work is advised.

Stott, T.A., Felter, J., Allison, P. and Beames, S. (2013) Personal Growth on Youth Expeditions: A Literature Review and Thematic Analysis, Leisure Studies (IS impact factor 0.604) DOI: 10.1080/02614367.2013.841744

Youth expeditions are associated with a range of benefits for participants. More young people are participating in overseas expeditions than ever before as vacation and gap year choices are diversified by a rising number of expedition providers. To date, there has been no systematic research effort to draw together and evaluate the evidence that underpins the benefits or, otherwise, for youths participating in overseas expeditions. This paper reviews empirical and philosophical literature which has been published in a range of journals and themes emerging are placed into a personal growth model. This review (or mapping exercise) focused on post-1990 literature and found 35 key publications which met the criteria: youth expedition; duration exceeding 14 days, self-propelled, and based overseas or out-of-state. The 35 publications (UK 26; USA 4; Australia 3; Japan 1; South Africa 1) were subjected to a thematic analysis using Greenaway's 'Four Arrows' model of personal growth. Outcomes associated with overseas youth expedition participation included (1) upward personal growth (realising potential) including increased confidence; physical and social resilience; self-reliance and ability to overcome challenges, (2) outward personal growth (learning about & relating to others), (3) inward personal growth (learning about self) and (4) downward personal growth (learning about environment). The processes that were valued in overseas expeditions and which, with some caution, may be linked with some of the aforementioned outcomes include: genuine independence; group isolation and self-sufficiency; person-centred leadership; positive responses to stress and physically demanding activity. Suggestions for areas for further meaningful research are offered.

Personal development on youth expeditions: A literature review and thematic analysis.

Youth expeditions are associated with a range of benefits for participants. More young people are participating in overseas expeditions than ever before as vacation and gap year choices are diversified by a rising number of expedition providers. To date there has been no systematic research effort to draw together and evaluate the evidence that underpins the benefits, or otherwise, for youths participating in overseas expeditions. This paper reviews empirical and philosophical literature which has been published in a range of journals and themes emerging are placed into a personal growth model. This review (or mapping exercise) focused on post-1990 literature and found 35 key publications which met the criteria: youth expedition; duration exceeding 14 days, self-propelled, and based overseas or out-of-state. The 35 publications (UK 26; USA 4; Australia 3; Japan 1; South Africa 1) were subjected to a thematic analysis using Greenaway’s (1998) ‘Four Arrows’ model of personal growth. Outcomes associated with overseas youth expedition participation included (1) upward personal growth (realising potential) including increased confidence; physical and social resilience; self-reliance and ability to overcome challenges, (2) outward personal growth (learning about & relating to others), (3) inward personal growth (learning about self), and (4) downward personal growth (learning about environment). The processes that were valued in overseas expeditions and which, with some caution, may be linked with some of the aforementioned outcomes include: genuine independence; group isolation and self-sufficiency; person-centred leadership; positive responses to stress and physically demanding activity. Suggestions for areas for further meaningful research are offered.

Self-Esteem: A Positive Way to Psychosocial Well-Being

2020

The process of globalisation has changed the pattern of social life of people across the globe. Undoubtedly this has had a bad impact on the lives of the people as it affects their social structures. This is because even though globalisation does have its advantages, it also has its disadvantages which we can say are the “negative effects” it has on people. The people that are mostly affected are the youth as they tend to be very “impressionable” and sometimes even “gullible” to the most appealing media and technology advances. For some they seek affirmations in these platforms, which may work to their detriment. Hence negative effects of globalisation manifests in all kinds of problems which have the potential to destroy individuals and families if there are no proper interventions in place to ensure better outcomes for all. This chapter will then try to explain what globalisation is, its impact on individuals especially the youth and the role of family and teachers in establishing...