Exploring Post-program Psychological Adjustment for Adult Staff Facilitating a Wilderness Adventure Program

Eleanor Lawrence-Wood, Ivan Raymond

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This paper outlines a pilot study of the post-program psychological adjustment outcomes of adult staff facilitating an Australian-based wilderness adventure program for youth at risk. The descriptive and correlational survey study (N = 62) examined the psychological adjustment processes staff underwent following program completion, and the factors that predicted adjustment. The study found that post-program psychological adjustment is neither an abnormal nor a drawn-out process, with the majority of staff reporting broadly positive experiences. A number of significant predictors of post-program psychological adjustment were identified, with perceived “program success” positively related to increased “reflective” and decreased “reactive” adjustment experiences. Level of physical challenge experienced by staff was also positively related to reflective adjustment outcomes. These findings are discussed in light of organisational responses and directions for future research.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)323-337
    Number of pages15
    JournalJournal of Experiential Education
    Volume33
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2011

    Keywords

    • Psychological Outcomes
    • Staff Adjustment
    • Wilderness Therapy

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Exploring Post-program Psychological Adjustment for Adult Staff Facilitating a Wilderness Adventure Program'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this