Anita R. Tucker

Adventure Therapy With Youth

This state of knowledge article provides an overview of Adventure Therapy (AT) as it is practiced with adolescents in North America, presenting (a) current findings in AT research with adolescents, (b) critical issues in AT, (c) the need for training and professional development in AT, and (d) professionalization in AT. Implications of current findings in AT research for practitioners, researchers, and consumers of AT services are also discussed.

Adventure-Based Group Therapy to Promote Social Skills in Adolescents

This article presents adventure-based group therapy as one type of activity-based group treatment that can be used to promote social skills in adolescents. Adventure-based therapy groups are a blend of experiential education, outdoor education, and group therapy. Key components of adventure-based therapy groups include activities that provide immediate and concrete consequences of behaviors, reliance on problem solving, their use of novel and unfamiliar environments, and the use of physical trust. The article includes practice examples of how these factors can be used to promote social skills and discusses limitations and implications for social work group practice.

Effects of Program Differences With Wilderness Therapy and Residential Treatment Center (RTC) Programs

Organizations within the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs differ on a variety of programmatic attributes. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between individual characteristics, programmatic use of adventure therapy, and YOQ-30 scores of participants attending Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare and Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs). No statistical relationship was found between length of treatment and type of program as measured by client scores, while gender, involvement in individual adventure therapy, percentage of time spent on expedition, and admission scores were significantly related to changes in client scores. Characteristics associated with recovery in both treatment environments are discussed.

Enhancing Fidelity in Adventure Education and Adventure Therapy.

Although the importance of addressing and evaluating treatment and program fidelity is clearly emphasized in the literature on psychology, education, and health, little attention has been given to fidelity in adventure literature or research. Program fidelity refers to whether or not, and how well, a specific intervention or program was implemented as planned. This article provides a background on fidelity, including program adherence and competence, factors that affect fidelity, and ways that adventure practitioners as well as evaluators can be intentional in addressing and measuring fidelity in adventure programming and research.

How Presenting Problems and Individual Characteristics Impact Successful Treatment Outcomes in Residential and Wilderness Treatment Programs

This research expands the examination of the effects of individual characteristics on client treatment outcomes at private Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) and Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) programs. A sample of 1,058 participants was used from the NATSAP Practice Research Network. Logistic regression analyses found that within OBH programs females were significantly more likely to have clinically significant improvements than males. RTC participants reporting a history of sexual abuse were more likely to achieve clinically significant improvements than those with no history. All other presenting problems within RTCs and OBH programs were nonsignificant, demonstrating equally beneficial treatment effectiveness with all other individual client characteristics.

New Heights: Adventure-based groupwork in social work education and practice

Training in groupwork in social work education is a critical aspect of promoting the continued use of groupwork in social work practice. Groupwork courses in social work education should integrate theory and practice; emphasize the processes that make groups effective; and train group leaders by providing experiential learning opportunities for how to lead groups. Likewise, groupwork in social work education should keep up with practice trends in the fi eld of social work. According to Tucker and Nortons (2009) research, current trends in social work practice with groups in the United States include the use of adventure-based practices with clients to effect positive change. Research also shows the increased use of adventure-based practices in the U.K. and other parts of the world. This practice trend is not new; however, Tucker and Norton found that very few social workers in the United States ever receive hands-on training in challenge and adventure activities while they are in school. The lack of experiential training in challenge and adventure activities in groupwork may lead to professional incompetence and poor programming, or the absence of challenge and adventure programming in social work practice with groups altogether. This study addressed the issue of groupwork training in social work education by providing social work students with an opportunity to participate in adventure-based groupwork. Pre- and post- survey research measured the impact of adventure-based groupwork on students self-concept and perception of competence in major life skills, group cohesion, and level of knowledge regarding application of challenge and adventure activities with social work clients. Data analysis revealed statistically signifi cant improvements in all areas.

Adventure Therapy: Nondeliberative Group Work in Action

ABSTRACT Nondeliberative group work allows group members to generate their own solutions and provides experiential opportunities to transfer learning to life outside of a therapeutic setting. Adventure therapy is explored as a tool for engaging groups in a nondeliberative manner. The theoretical underpinnings of adventure therapy are presented and contextualized within the larger framework of experiential education. Specific methods and models of adventure work are presented and considered in relationship to nondeliberative social work with groups. Two case examples are presented to illustrate the nondeliberative nature of adventure therapy.

An Exploration of Gender, Client History, and Functioning in Wilderness Therapy Participants

This article explored differences by gender in client mental health history, presenting issues, and current functioning among adolescents in wilderness therapy. The study used a random sample of 401 youth in wilderness therapy programs, utilizing data from archival psychological evaluations conducted during wilderness treatment. Results showed that females were more likely to have participated in outpatient treatment prior to a wilderness therapy program. Additionally, analysis indicated that females were more likely than males to participate in self-harming behaviors and suicide attempts. Males were more likely to have been significantly involved with criminal activity prior to treatment. Analysis provided a deeper understanding of the current population of wilderness therapy participants in an effort to inform current wilderness therapy practices. It is imperative for clinicians to have a better understanding of gender differences when considering wilderness therapy as a treatment option.

The Impact of Wilderness Therapy: Utilizing an Integrated Care Approach.

With roots in experiential education and Outward Bound, wilderness therapy (WT) is a growing field of mental health care for youth. WT uses outdoor modalities combined with therapeutic interventions to assist youth to promote clinical changes. Previous research has shown it to be effective in improving the mental health of clients; however, little research has looked at the impact of WT on physical outcomes as well. This study examined changes in the body composition and mental health outcomes of adolescents participating in one WT program. On average, youth in the sample moved to a more healthy weight and body mass index (BMI) or were able to maintain at a healthy level. Youth also experienced significant improvements in their mental health functioning. Given the adolescent obesity crisis along with adolescent female challenges with body image, these results show that WT could be a promising intervention for youth struggling with these issues.

On Belay: Providing Connection, Support, and Empowerment to Children Who Have a Parent with Cancer.

Focus groups with youth and their parents were used in this research study to better understand the impact of the On Belay Program, an adventure-based support group for youth whose parents have cancer. Results demonstrated that challenge course programs reduce isolation in youth by creating a caring community and normalizing the cancer experience. Results also showed the importance of providing a place where the youth, not the parent or the parent’s illness, is the focus. Finally, the feelings of strength and empowerment gained from successfully accomplishing the physical challenges faced in the program were also applied to challenges faced at home.