Emerging stories of self: long-term outcomes of wilderness therapy in Norway. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernee, Carina R.; Gabrielsen, Leiv E.; Andersen, Anders J. W.; Mesel, Terje
• Is Part Of: Journal of adventure education and outdoor learning. Volume 21:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Wilderness therapy -- friluftsterapi -- adolescents -- mental health treatment -- outcome; Adventure education -- Periodicals; Outdoor education -- Periodicals; 371.38405
• DOI: 10.1080/14729679.2020.1730205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-9679

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper is a twelve-month follow-up study that explores perceived outcomes from participation in a Norwegian wilderness therapy program. Through a critical realist approach, the authors performed an in-depth analysis of individual interviews with ten adolescent participants. Long-term outcomes included the transfer and adaptation of calming and nature-supported strategies to the participants' home environments, improvements in mood and emotional regulation, and increased social interaction. Overall, the adolescents seemed to exert greater independence and agency in their lives at twelve months post-treatment. This ability appeared to be facilitated by underlying processes that entailed insight, awareness, and acceptance of oneself and one's situation. The authors suggest that these emerging stories are fragile, yet conditioned by a fundamental (re)connection with the self and address this cautious proposition in the discussion. Finally, a more precise theoretical framework should be developed to support future in-depth explorations.