Adventure therapy and adolescent mothers: A pilot study to examine effects of a summer camp program on parenting stress in adolescent mothers

This pilot study examined the relative effects of a Summer Camp program on the parenting stress levels of adolescent mothers in residential treatment. The hypothesis for this study contends that the Summer Camp experience---and participant satisfaction with Summer Camp---will show a positive effect on parenting stress due, in part, to its comparability with adventure therapy principles. Nine adolescent mothers in a residential treatment facility completed the Parenting Stress Index---Short Form (PSI/SF) questionnaire prior to and directly following a Summer Camp program. The participants also completed a "Client Camp Satisfaction Survey" directly following the camp experience. Results indicate that parenting stress levels decreased following participation in Summer Camp. Limitations and possibilities for future research are discussed.