Satisfying psychological needs on the high seas: explaining increases self-esteem following an Adventure Education Programme. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scarf, Damian; Kafka, Sarah; Hayhurst, Jill; Jang, Kyungho; Boyes, Mike; Thomson, Ruth; Hunter, John A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of adventure education and outdoor learning. Volume 18:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Self-esteem -- sail training -- Adventure Education Programme -- Positive Youth Development -- belonging; Adventure education -- Periodicals; Outdoor education -- Periodicals; 371.38405
• DOI: 10.1080/14729679.2017.1385496
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-9679

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A number of recent studies have revealed that taking part in a sail-training-based Adventure Education Programme elevates youths' self-esteem. Across two studies, we sought to examine the extent to which youths' sense of belonging contributed to this increase in self-esteem. Study 1 revealed that participants who completed the voyage showed an increase in self-esteem from the first to the last day of the voyage. Partial correlation revealed that group belonging made a unique contribution to this change. Study 2 replicated Study 1 and, further, demonstrated that the relationship between group belonging and self-esteem was not a function of self-efficacy or group esteem. Such findings suggest that an important contributing factor to the benefits of sail-training interventions is their potential to satisfy psychological needs, in this case the need to belong.