Bettmann, J., Russell, K., & Perry, K. (2012, October 04). How Substance Abuse Recovery Skills, Readiness to Change and Symptom Reduction Impact Change Processes in Wilderness Therapy Participants. Springer, (22), 1039-1050. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10826-012-9665-2.pdf DOI 10.1007/s10826-012-9665-2
This study looks at the specific factors that affect the client’s progress and outcome. Individuals were assessed with many different questionnaires during pre, post, and follow-up intervals. The findings of this study showed that individuals do not actually need to want to change in order to change. Individuals also tend to gain abstinence-focused coping strategies which can be the most effective tool that will improve treatment outcomes. Clients often maintained the positive outcomes gained through the programs.
Relevance: I believe this article to be relevant because it looks at substance abusers and what impacts their progress. I like that this study takes a different approach than most of the other ones I have read. It looks at the specific factors that contribute to the treatment outcomes.
Bettmann, J. E., Scheinfeld, D. E., Prince, K. C., Garland, E. L., & Ovrom, K. V. (2018). Changes in psychiatric symptoms and psychological processes among veterans participating in a therapeutic adventure program. Psychological Services, http://dx.doi.org.librweb.laurentian.ca/10.1037/ser0000213 Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.librweb.laurentian.ca/docview/1999311008?accountid=12005
This study looks at a 6-day Outward Bound program for Veterans while assessing changes in mental health and related psychological processes. Seventy-seven military Veterans from the United States were examined over the 6 days and then at a 1-month follow-up. They were asked to fill out surveys three times over the course of the examination. The Veterans reported a significant improvement in life purpose satisfaction and self-confidence from the pre and post-program. The improvement also continued after the program was over.
Relevance: I am interested in the way this study used a repeated-measure on each of the different variable in order to see which would have a bigger impact. I also enjoy how the study states the impacts that PTSD can have on the Veterans and why it is important to look at different ways in which we can help with this problem.
Gass, M. A., & Mcphee, P. J. (1990). Emerging for Recovery: A Descriptive Analysis of Adventure Therapy for Substance Abusers. Journal of Experiential Education,13(2), 29-35. doi:10.1177/105382599001300206
This study describe how substance abuse problems are approached in adventure programs. It also looks at determining the critical issues and trends relating to substance abuse. The adventure programs were surveyed to see what type of individuals were participating, the goal of the program, the models used for treatment, the program evaluation results and a few more characteristics that are not related to the topic I hope to explore. Individuals were then asked to fill out a questionnaire relating to their treatment programs. Eighty-two percent of the adventure programs examined identified as performing a therapeutic while only 18% function as primarily diagnostic. During the adventures 78% of the programs combined individuals who had substance abuse with other drug problems while only 15% of them separated their clients to offer different experiences.
Relevance: I believe that this article would be relevant because it speaks of adventure therapy on with those who have substance abuse problems. I like the fact that this article states some facts including some regarding economics as well as the amount of people who are affected. I also like that the study looked at the strengths and weaknesses of each program studied in order to increase its effectiveness. Lastly, I really enjoy the use of the table 1 where it lists the percentage of programs that use a certain activity.
Gelkopf, M., Hasson-Ohayon, I., Bikman, M., & Kravetz, S. (2013). Nature adventure rehabilitation for combat-related posttraumatic chronic stress disorder: A randomized control trial. Psychiatry Research,209, 485-493. doi:10.1107/s0108768104030617/bs5012sup1.cif
This study looks at the effectiveness Nature Adventure Rehabilitation (NAR) has on veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals suffering from PTSD were split into two groups, a study group and a control group. They were assessed prior to the start of the treatment as well as after the treatment with the help of a self-report measures on things such as depression, post traumatic symptoms, quality of life, hope, etc. There was significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, depression, and improvement in functioning, sense of control of the PTSD symptoms, improvement in social and emotional quality of life and in hope for those who attended the NAR program compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, NAR would have a positive impact on those suffering from PTSD.
Relevance: this study would be relevant because it looks at individuals suffering from PTSD and the use of sailing to overcome this. I enjoyed this study because it focused on only one activity compared to other studies where they include each activity together and look at the overall results. I liked that this study used some self-report method as only the individual themselves are able to say how they truly feel.
Roberts, S. D., Stroud, D., Hoag, M. J., & Combs, K. M. (2016). Outdoor Behavioral Health Care. Journal of Experiential Education,39(3), 288-302. doi:10.1177/1053825916655445
In this study, the completion of an outdoor behavioral health care (OBH) was examined on a specific client and treatment characteristics basis. The outcomes were measured with the Outcome Questionnaire which assesses the individual changes during and after therapy. The key items this questionnaire assesses are personal and social characteristics that are related to quality of life in three different subscales; subjective distress, interpersonal relationships, and social role performance. The findings found that all individuals who participated in the OBH program benefited similarly regardless of their gender, age, diagnosis, therapist, or length of stay.
Relevance: this study would be relevant because it is working with individuals who suffer from mental health issues. This study looks at the individual changes with specific client compared to the treatment characteristics. This is different than other studies as it focuses on individuals instead of groups. This will help determine the therapist what helps a certain individual better as we are all different and react to things differently.
Russell, K. C., Gillis, H. L. (., & Kivlighan, D. M., Jr. (2017). Process factors explaining psycho-social outcomes in adventure therapy. Psychotherapy, 54(3), 273-280. http://dx.doi.org.librweb.laurentian.ca/10.1037/pst0000131 Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.librweb.laurentian.ca/docview/1940533256?accountid=12005
This study uses the Adventure Therapy Experience Scale (ATES) to see how its therapeutic factors affect the treatment outcomes and how these factors might contribute to the outcome over time. The clients were administered the Outcome Questionnaire when they first started the program as well as every 2 weeks while the program lasted. They also answered 16 Likert items. Clients usually improved in their psycho-social functioning as seen on the Outcome Questionnaire. Those results are related to higher group adventures.
Relevance: This study looks at adventure therapy from a sociology perspective as well as psychology. It is looking at the effect of group adventures and the way these adventures can help the clients develop new social skills.
Russell, K. C., Hendee, J. C., and Phillips-Miller, D. (1999). How Wilderness Therapy Works: An Examination of the Wilderness Therapy Process to Treat Adolescents with Behavioral Problems and Addictions. In: Cole, D. N.; McCool, S. F. 2000. Proceedings: Wilderness Science in a Time of Change. Proc. RMRS-P-000. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Retrieved from http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/wrc/publications/montana1.pdf
This study summarizes findings from four wilderness therapy programs. It focuses on how wilderness therapy works, the behavioral problems that are often associated with adventure therapy and the outcomes that are expected. Interviews were done with some key executives of five different wilderness therapy programs. Four of those programs were chosen and a researcher then spent one week observing the participants in each program. The researcher concluded that there are two types of wilderness therapy programs: expedition and base camp. It does not clearly state what type of clients these programs often accommodate; however, it states that staff often perceive their clients as being out of control and in immediate crisis. These thoughts can be related to problems with drugs and alcohol, depression, violent outbursts, law troubles, etc. on the part of the clients. The outcomes of such programs would be development of self-concept, knowledge and skills, realizations to change behaviour, and strengthened family relations.
Relevance: This study is interesting because the researcher got to spend a week observing the individuals in the wilderness setting. It also looks at the stages needed to work with individuals who are addicted. It looks at a health and wellness perspective where individuals need to start being healthier as well as a behavioural perspective. It also states that individuals need to focus more on social skills as they may lack of them as they start being healthier.
Voruganti, L. N., Whatham, J., Bard, E., Parker, G., Babbey, C., Ryan, J., . . . Maccrimmon, D. J. (2006). Going Beyond: An Adventure- and Recreation-Based Group Intervention Promotes Well-Being and Weight Loss in Schizophrenia. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry,51(9), 575-580. doi:10.1177/070674370605100905
This study was done in order to measure the level of effectiveness novel adventure and recreational based group interventions have on individuals with schizophrenia. Individuals were divided into two groups, the study group and the control group. They were assessed before and after the experiment. A multitude of interview-administered tests were administered. Although the cognitive abilities and the domain-specific functioning improvements were minimal, individuals experienced significant self-esteem and global functioning improvements. Adventure and recreation-based programs could help metabolic issues with individuals with schizophrenia.
Relevance: This study looked at individuals suffering from schizophrenia. It attempted to help them with their health and wellbeing in losing weight. In the discussion of this study, it discusses a bit of history stating that the use of activities was popular in the Victorian asylums but due to their closure this trend died. The study then suggests that this type of therapy could be used with different health issues such as type 2 diabetes, weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, and more.