Utilizing Outdoor Adventure Therapy to Increase Hope and Well-Being Among Women at a Homeless Shelter
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2020-V12-I1-9928Keywords:
Outdoor adventure therapy, homelessness, hope, well-being, womenAbstract
Women experiencing homelessness have high levels of psychosocial distress related to complex trauma, barriers to mental health treatment, and social isolation. The HOPE Adventure Therapy program utilized outdoor adventure therapy to increase hope and well-being among women homeless shelter residents. Using the Hope Scale and the Outcome Rating Scale, this exploratory, quasi-experimental study measured differences in hope and well-being between women who did and did not participate in the HOPE Adventure Therapy program. Women who participated in adventure therapy reported significant improvements in social and interpersonal well-being. Additionally, higher attendance in adventure therapy predicted larger improvements in wellbeing for residents in a women’s shelter. Future studies can further explore outdoor adventure therapy and experiential interventions to address gaps in service for women experiencing homelessness.
References
Babyak, M. A., Snyder, C. R., & Yoshinobu, L. (1993). Psychometric properties of the Hope Scale: A confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Research in Personality, 27(2), 154–169. https://doi.org/10.1006/jrpe.1993.1011
Bransford, C., & Cole, M. (2019). Trauma-informed care in homelessness service settings: Challenges and opportunities. In H. Larkin, A. Aykanian, & C. L. Streeter (Eds.), Homelessness prevention and intervention in social work (pp. 255–277). New York, NY: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03727-7_13
Bray, J. (2009). Helping people without homes: The role of psychologists and recommendations to advance research, training, practice, and policy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Bringhurst, D. L., Watson, C. W., Miller, S. D., & Duncan, B. L. (2006). The reliability and validity of the Outcome Rating Scale: A replication study of a brief clinical measure. Journal of Brief Therapy, 5(1), 23–30.
Campbell, A., & Hemsley, S. (2009). Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale in psychological practice: Clinical utility of ultra-brief measures. Clinical Psychologist, 13(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13284200802676391
Christian, J., Clapham, D., Thomas, S., & Abrams, D. (2012). The relationship between well-being, future planning, and intentions to utilise intervention programmes: What can be learned from homeless service users? International Journal of Housing Policy, 12(2), 159–182. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616718.2012.681578
Clem, J. M., Smith, T. E., & Richards, K. V. (2011). Effects of a low-element challenge course on abstinence self-efficacy and group cohesion. Research on Social Work Practice, 22(2), 151–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731511423672
Cosgrove, L., & Flynn, C. (2005). Marginalized mothers: Parenting without a home. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 5(1), 127–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-2415.2005.00059.x
Ewert, A. W., Mitten, D. S., & Overholt, J. R. (2014). Natural environments and human health. Boston, MA: Cabi.
Faith, C. (2009). Stress management group counseling for homeless women: A summary and evaluation of the literature. Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1(2), 76–86.
Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. L., & Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York, NY: Routledge.
Guarino, K., Rubin, L., & Bassuk, E. (2007). Trauma in the lives of homeless families. In E. K. Carll (Ed.), Trauma psychology: Issues in violence, disaster, health, and illness (pp. 231–258). Westport, CT: Praeger.
Harper, N. J., Norris, J., & D’astous, M. (2014). Veterans and the Outward Bound experience: An evaluation of impact and meaning. Ecopsychology, 6(3), 165–173.
Harper, N. J., Peeters, L., & Carpenter, C. (2015). Adventure therapy. In R. Black & K. Bricker (Eds.), Adventure programming and travel for the 21st century (pp. 221–236). Urbana, IL: Venture.
Herbers, J. E., & Cutuli, J. (2014). Programs for homeless children and youth: A critical review of evidence. In M. E. Haskett, S. Perlman, B. A. Cowan, M. E. Haskett, S. Perlman, & B. A. Cowan (Eds.), Supporting families experiencing homelessness: Current practices and future directions (pp. 187–207). New York, NY: Springer Science + Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8718-0
Housing and Urban Development. (2012). Criteria and recordkeeping requirements for definition of homelessness. Retrieved from https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/1974/criteria-and-recordkeeping-requirements-for-definition-of-homeless/
Jego, M., Abcaya, J., Ștefan, D. E., Calvet-Montredon, C., & Gentile, S. (2018). Improving health care management in primary care for homeless people: A literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020309
Kerman, N., Gran-Ruaz, S., Lawrence, M., & Sylvestre, J. (2019). Perceptions of service use among currently and formerly homeless adults with mental health problems. Community Mental Health Journal, 55(5), 777–783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00382-z
Koperski, H., Tucker, A. R., Lung, D. M., & Gass, M. (2015). The impact of community based adventure therapy programming on stress and coping skills in adults. Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Counseling and Professional Psychology, 4(1), 1–16.
Lindsey, E. W. (2000). Social work with homeless mothers: A strength-based solution-focused model. Journal of Family Social Work, 4(1), 59–78. https://doi.org/10.1300/j039v04n01_06
Lung, D. M., Stauffer, G., & Alvarez, T. (2008). Power of one: Using adventure and experiential activities within one on one counseling sessions. Oklahoma City, OK: Wood N Barnes.
McCallum, L., Powenski, H., Robinson, J., & Shipley, K. (2019). Opening doors: Louisiana human trafficking survivor housing report. Retrieved from Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force website: http://www.nolatrafficking.org/research
Meadows-Oliver, M. (2016). Social support among homeless and housed mothers: An integrative review. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 43(2), 40–47. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20050201-02
Miller, S. D., Duncan, B. L., Brown, J., Sparks, J. A., & Claud, D. A. (2003). The Outcome Rating Scale: A preliminary study of the reliability, validity, and feasibility of a brief visual analog measure. Journal of Brief Therapy, 2(2), 91–100.
Mitten, D., Overholt, J. R., Haynes, F. I., D’Amore, C. C., & Ady, J. C. (2016). Hiking: A low cost, accessible intervention to promote health benefits. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(4), 302–310. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827616658229
Moravac, C. C. (2018). Reflections of homeless women and women with mental health challenges on breast and cervical cancer screening decisions: Power, trust, and communication with care providers. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00030
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2019). State of homelessness. Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessnessstatistics/state-of-homelessness-report/
Nemiroff, R., Aubry, R., & Klodawsky, F. (2011). From homelessness to community: Psychological integration of women who have experienced homelessness. Journal of Community Psychology, 39(8), 1003–1018. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20486
Norton, C. L. (2008). Understanding the impact of wilderness therapy on adolescent depression and psychosocial development. Illinois Child Welfare, 4(1), 166–178.
Norton, C. L., Tucker, A. R., Farnham-Stratton, M., Borroel, F., & Pelletier, A. (2019). Family enrichment adventure therapy: A mixed methods study examining the impact of trauma-informed adventure therapy on children and families affected by abuse. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 12(1), 85–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0133-4
Ponce, A. N., Lawless, M. S., & Rowe, M. (2014). Homelessness, behavioral health disorders, and intimate partner violence: Barriers to services for women. Community Mental Health Journal, 50(7), 831–840. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-014-9712-0
Pretty, J., Peacock, J., Sellens, M. H., & Griffin, M. (2005). The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise. Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15(5), 319–337. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603120500155963
Riley, E. D., Shumway, M., Knight, K. R., Guzman, D., Cohen, J., & Weiser, S. D. (2015). Risk factors for stimulant use among homeless and unstably housed adult women. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 153, 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.023
Rubin, A., & Babbie, E. (2016). Research methods in social work (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Seager, M. (2011). Homelessness is more than houselessness: A psychologically-minded approach to inclusion and rough sleeping. Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 15(4), 183–189. https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301111186822
Seager, M., &, Manning, C. (2009, October). Mind the gap: Why homelessness is a mental health issue. The Big Issue, 867, 10.
Slezackova, A. (2017). Hope and well-being: Psychosocial correlates and benefits. Retrieved from University of Malta Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health website: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/42661/1/HopeandWell-beingMonograph.pdf
Snyder, C. R., Harris, C., Anderson, J. R., Holleran, S. A., Irving, L. M., Sigmon, S. T., . . . Harney, P. (1991). The will and the ways: Development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(4), 570–585. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.4.570
Snyder, C. R., Sympson, S. C., Ybasco, F. C., Borders, T. F., Babyak, M. A., & Higgins, R. L. (1996). Development and validation of the State Hope Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(2), 321–335. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.70.2.321
Stevens, B., Kagan, S., Yamada, J., Epstein, I., Beamer, M., Bilodeau, M., & Baruchel, S. (2004). Adventure therapy for adolescents with cancer. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 43(3), 278–284. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.20060
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Substance abuse treatment: Group therapy (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series No. 41). Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma15-3991.pdf
Taylor, D., Segal, D., & Harper, N. J. (2010). The ecology of adventure therapy: An integral systems approach to therapeutic change. Ecopsychology, 2(2), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2010.0002
Tischler, V., Rademeyer, A., & Vostanis, P. (2007). Mothers experiencing homelessness: Mental health, support, and social care needs. Health & Social Care in the Community, 15(3), 246–253. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2006.00678.x
Tucker, A. R. (2009). Adventure-based group therapy to promote social skills in adolescents. Social Work With Groups, 32(4), 315–329. https://doi.org/10.1080/01609510902874594
Tucker, A. R., Javorski, S., Tracy, J., & Beale, B. (2013). The use of adventure therapy in community-based mental health: Decreases in problem severity among youth clients. Child and Youth Care Forum, 42(2), 155–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-012-9190-x
Tucker, A. R., Norton, C. L., Itin, C., Hobson, J., & Alvarez, M. A. (2016). Adventure therapy: Nondeliberative group work in action. Social Work With Groups, 39(2–3), 194–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/01609513.2015.1048416
Velasquez, M. M., Crouch, C., Stephens, N. S., & DiClemente, C. C. (2016). Group treatment for substance abuse: A stages-of-change therapy manual (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Walsh, C. A., Rutherford, G. E., Sarafincian, K. N., & Sellmer, S. R. (2010). Making meaning together: An exploratory study of therapeutic conversation between helping professionals and homeless shelter residents. Qualitative Report, 15(4), 932–947.
Watson, J. (2016). Gender-based violence and young homeless women: Femininity, embodiment, and vicarious physical capital. Sociological Review, 64(2), 256–273. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-954x.12365
Weinrich, S., Hardin, S., Glaser, D., Barger, M., Bormann, J., Lizarraga, C., . . . Allard, C. B. (2016). Assessing sexual trauma histories in homeless women. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 17(2), 237–243. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2015.1089968
Williams, V. S., Morlock, R. J., & Feltner, D. (2010). Psychometric evaluation of a visual analog scale for the assessment of anxiety. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 8(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-8-57
Winetrobe, H., Rhoades, H., Rice, E., Milburn, N., & Petering, R. (2017). “I’m not homeless, I’m houseless”: Identifying as homeless and associations with service utilization among Los Angeles homeless young people. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 26(1), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/10530789.2017.1280204
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (6th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)
Journal Publishing Copyright Agreement for Authors
PLEASE REVIEW OUR POLICIES AND THE PUBLISHING AGREEMENT, AND INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS BY CHECKING THE ‘AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS COPYRIGHT NOTICE’ CHECKBOX BELOW.
I understand that by submitting an article to Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, I am granting the copyright to the article submitted for consideration for publication in Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership to the Copyright Owner. If after consideration of the Editor of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, the article is not accepted for publication, all copyright covered under this agreement will be automatically returned to the Author(s).
THE PUBLISHING AGREEMENT
Assignment of Copyright
I hereby assign to the Copyright Owner the copyright in the manuscript I am submitting in this online procedure and any tables, illustrations or other material submitted for publication as part of the manuscript in all forms and media (whether now known or later developed), throughout the world, in all languages, for the full term of copyright, effective when the article is accepted for publication.
Reversion of Rights
Articles may sometimes be accepted for publication but later be rejected in the publication process, even in some cases after public posting in “Articles in Press” form, in which case all rights will revert to the Author.
Retention of Rights for Scholarly Purposes
I understand that I retain or am hereby granted the Retained Rights. The Retained Rights include the right to use the Preprint, Accepted Manuscript, and the Published Journal Article for Personal Use and Internal Institutional Use.
All journal material is under a 12 month embargo. Authors who would like to have their articles available as open access should contact Sagamore-Venture for further information.
In the case of the Accepted Manuscript and the Published Journal Article, the Retained Rights exclude Commercial Use, other than use by the author in a subsequent compilation of the author’s works or to extend the Article to book length form or re-use by the author of portions or excerpts in other works.
Published Journal Article: the author may share a link to the formal publication through the relevant DOI.
Author Representations
- The Article I have submitted to the journal for review is original, has been written by the stated author(s) and has not been published elsewhere.
- The Article was not submitted for review to another journal while under review by this journal and will not be submitted to any other journal.
- The Article contains no libelous or other unlawful statements and does not contain any materials that violate any personal or proprietary rights of any other person or entity.
- I have obtained written permission from copyright owners for any excerpts from copyrighted works that are included and have credited the sources in the Article.
- If the Article was prepared jointly with other authors, I have informed the co-author(s) of the terms of this Journal Publishing Agreement and that I am signing on their behalf as their agent, and I am authorized to do so.