John Allan, Jim McKenna, Eddy Lloyd Exposure levels in outdoor activities (OA) as a marker for change in low resilience adolescents The Road Least Travelled AIESEP logo

Resilience The label given to bounce- back-ability and personal growth (bounce-beyond- ability); growth through adversity Links to notions of capability and competence Transfer of adaptations Strong links to OA

Societal Need for Resilience Kobe expressway – 1995, Great Hanshin earthquake 5,500 dead, 26,0000 injured 200 billion lost to economy – us dollars Are we eroding Resilience?

Societal Need for Resilience Are we eroding Resilience?

Background – Resilience and OA Resilience comprises ecological, cultural and psychological dimensions reflecting the capacity to develop under difficult circumstances Masten, 2001 Strong resonance with notions of competence and personal growth Risk produces resilience (Deveson, 2003) OA often seen as helping personal growth, esp in ‘troubled youth’ Hattie et al., 1997; Neil and Dias, 2001

Need for psychological resilience in HE? Universities : Students HE Retention and Achievement pressures Widening participation – non- traditional groups Key transition period into adulthood Attrition rates, achievement Long-lasting benefits?

Purpose To explore how differentiated exposure to a range of experiential factors was linked to follow-up resilience within intensive 5- day residential OA programmes

Field Week Residentials  5 continuous days  Academic and Activity based  Tailor-made  Inclusive  Reflection  Resilience

Measuring Resilience Connor & Davidson, 2003; Depression and Anxiety, 18, ) A newly validated scale for young people: ‘How have you felt about yourself over the PAST MONTH?’ –Provides a single score –Measures taken immediately before and following the course –Differences identify programme effects Disagree Agree 1. When I make plans I follow through with them Disagree Agree 1. When I make plans I follow through with them Disagree Agree 1. When I make plans I follow through with them I could deal with whatever came along Not at all true True nearly all the time Disagree Agree 1. When I make plans I follow through with them Disagree Agree 1. When I make plans I follow through with them

Resilience Shifts – Markers for change I was with people of my own age NeverOnce2 - 3 timesEvery day Through most days I was with experienced camp leaders NeverOnce2 - 3 timesEvery day Through most days I was motivated by the activities I chose NeverOnce2 - 3 timesEvery day Through most days I was inspired by the countryside NeverOnce2 - 3 timesEvery day Through most days I was free to make my own decisions NeverOnce2 - 3 timesEvery day Through most days I was able to laugh at myself NeverOnce2 - 3 timesEvery day Through most days I was able to choose the activities I did NeverOnce2 - 3 timesEvery dayThrough most days 17 variables important in predicting growth through OA identified (expert testimonies, research, evaluations) Examples:

Results – Demographics and Resilience Baseline and follow-up (n=285) –102 female, 35.8% –Mean age 18.69, s 1.31 years –8 Sport / Leisure undergraduate Cohorts –Variety of residential locations Return rate 85% Data preparation = Follow-up resilience Logistic regression to predict Resilience Group

Results – Resilience Ranges Low resilience (n=106) Moderate resilience (n=179) High resilience (n=233)

Results : Resilience Shifts – Markers for change PredictorsBWaldExp(B) [Odds Ratio] 95% CI Inspired by the countryside to 1.98 Every increment of exposure increases the chance of being in the moderate group by 55% Low to moderate levels of resilience

Critical Analysis Exposure –Influence of residential experience –Even increments? –Missing variables? Resilience –Follow-up measure vs Calculation of change

Summary Unique study combining important constructs relating to resilience and differentiated exposure to outdoor activities Highlights the particular value of regular exposure to natural, inspirational elements of OA for securing higher resilience Every increase in exposure increased the likelihood of being in the moderate resilience group by 55%; open minded-ness? This is the first such study to estimate the importance of exposure for better personal growth for low resilience individuals Implications for outdoor practitioners (programme design and application)

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