Exploring the Benefits of an Outdoor Adventure Program for Improving Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy and Reducing Problem Behaviors in Adolescent Girls

Author

Kristen O'Shea, The University of Montana

Year of Award

2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department or School/College

Department of Psychology

Committee Chair

Christine Fiore

Commitee Members

David Brown, Neil Moisey, Cheryl Van Denburg, Nadine Wisniewski

Keywords

Adolescent Females, Adolescent Girls, Outdoor Adventure Program, Recreational Therapy, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem

Abstract

The study assessed change in self-efficacy, self-esteem, and problem behaviors from pre-treatment to post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up for adolescent girls enrolled in an outdoor adventure program. Family security and previous program experience were also considered. Participants included 62 girls (ages 10 - 18) from diverse ethnic and SES backgrounds (the majority were Euro American from middle class backgrounds). As expected, problem behaviors were negatively correlated with self-esteem throughout the trip; they were negatively correlated with self-efficacy at 6-month follow-up. Girls from "higher security" families reported significantly higher levels of self-esteem (p < .05) and fewer problem behaviors (p < .01) than girls from "lower security" families. A principal components analysis (PCA) was run to review test properties of one of the study measures, the modified General Self-Efficacy Scales. Limitations of the study, including low power and few statistically significant results, are discussed.

Recommended Citation

O'Shea, Kristen, "Exploring the Benefits of an Outdoor Adventure Program for Improving Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy and Reducing Problem Behaviors in Adolescent Girls" (2008). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 419.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/419