Review finds that adventure education enhances the physical, psychological and social development of healthy and non-healthy children and adolescentsAdventure education (AE) combines rigorous physical challenge in unfamiliar natural environments with supportive peer networks to encourage positive development for children and youth. Research has identified a number of benefits resulting from children’s participation in AE programs. This systematic review was conducted to synthesize the existing research focused on the physical, psychological and social health-related outcomes of AE programs for healthy and non-healthy children and adolescents.
A search of seven academic databases focused on identifying quantitative peer reviewed studies published in English between 2000 and 2021. Only research utilizing randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, experimental, or mixed method (only quantitative data included) study designs were eligible for inclusion in the review. Studies of both healthy children (HC) and non-healthy children (NHC) were included. No restrictions were placed on the setting or duration of the AE program studied. The search identified 18 articles which were included in the review. With the exception of one study focused on children ages three to seven years, participants in the studies were between the ages of nine and 18 years. Ten studies solely involved HC and participants in eight studies were NHC, including children who were cancer survivors, obese, “at-risk,” or had autism spectrum disorder. Research designs included randomized controlled trials (10 studies), one-group experiments (five studies), two-group experiments (two studies), and a quasi-experiment with a control group (one study). Eight studies also conducted follow-up assessments between three and 12 months after the AE program. The selected studies were evaluated for the risk of bias. Of the 18 studies, five were “low risk,” six were of “some concern,” and seven were “high risk” of bias (often due to lack of random assignment or the use of single-group experimental designs).
Findings from the review were focused on the areas of physical, psychological and social development. Results regarding the effect of AE on physical development revealed significant improvements in physical activity (PA) for both healthy and non-healthy children (age 9-16). Four studies reported that PA remained significantly improved at follow-up, which ranged from one to six months. Significant improvements were also found for healthy adolescent’s physical condition, body image and strength, as well as younger non-healthy children’s (age 3-7) motor ability. Findings regarding psychological development largely revealed significant increases across a number of beneficial outcomes, although some inconsistencies between studies were identified. Four studies demonstrated significant increases in self-efficacy for cancer survivors (age 9-16) after a six-month AE program. On the other hand, a shorter AE program did not significantly impact the self-efficacy of healthy 14-year-olds. Findings regarding participants’ quality of life were also mixed, with two studies indicating significant improvements and three studies reporting no significant changes. However, significant improvements were consistently reported for self-concept, self-worth, emotional control, resilience, well-being, self-determination, intrinsic motivation, and perceived competence, although some of these studies were at higher risk of bias. Finally, several pro-social behaviors were reported by six studies that examined social development. These included significant improvements in healthy and non-healthy adolescents’ social competence and healthy children’s (age 10-14) behavioral conduct. The social cognition, social communication, and social motivation of younger non-healthy children (age 3–7) were also significantly improved.
Overall, findings indicate that AE offers an effective approach to support the physical, psychological and social development of healthy and non-healthy children and adolescents. The review especially highlights AE’s positive effects on physical and social health. Although results for psychological development revealed some mixed findings, the majority of reviewed studies demonstrated positive impacts. The methodological quality of most studies was classified as mid to high risk of bias; therefore, findings should be interpreted with caution. The researchers call for higher quality study designs to further understanding of AE’s impacts.
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