| Research has shown many positive outcomes of outdoor therapeutic groups, including an internalized sense of control, elevated self-confidence, and a stronger sense of self. While many such programs claim to increase communion with the natural world, only anecdotal evidence has previously been provided to support the attainment of this goal. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study (n=28) was to investigate, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the effects of an outdoor therapeutic group on the environmental beliefs and values of its adolescent participants. A likert-scale survey (Hinds & Sparks, 2008) was given pre- and post- to the experimental and control groups, with the hypothesis that environmental values would increase in the experimental group. In addition, nine qualitative questions were posed to select participants of the experimental group upon completion of the program. The research found a clinically significant increase in environmental values in those adolescents completing the outdoor therapy group, with two questions assessing concern for the future of the natural world showing a statistically significant increase. In addition, qualitative results indicated that select participants whose environmental beliefs and values did not quantitatively increase still indicated a subjective increased feeling of communion with the natural world. Limitations to the study as well as future directions for the field are discussed. |
