The seeds of change: Antecedent variables and their impact in building grit and resilience through outdoor adventure education.

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the impact of Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) on developing grit and resilience in adolescents. Focusing on a United States-based sample collected in 2015, it explores how antecedent variables such as age and gender influence these outcomes, integrating the PERMA model of well-being to investigate underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The research employed a cross-sectional design with 350 participants aged 14-18 from various OAE courses. Data collection involved pre/post surveys assessing grit and resilience as experiences through mastery, relatedness, and emotional reactivity. The study utilized established inventories for grit and the Resilience Scales for Children and Adolescents. RESULTS: Findings revealed significant grit, mastery, and relatedness increases following the OAE program. Participants demonstrated enhanced perseverance and passion toward goals, increased sense of mastery, and better relational dynamics. However, emotional reactivity scores remained largely unchanged. Notably, the impact of these programs varied based on participants' gender and socioeconomic status, indicating differential effects across demographic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that OAE programs effectively foster grit and resilience in adolescents, with varying impacts based on demographic factors. It highlights the necessity for inclusive and adaptive program designs that cater to diverse participant needs. The results contribute valuable insights to the field of youth development, emphasizing the role of OAE in enhancing key psychological traits essential for adolescents' growth and adaptation.

Underlying Motives for Selected Adventure Recreation Activities: The Case for Eudaimonics and Hedonics.

One of the interesting behaviors practiced by citizens across the globe is the pursuit of outdoor recreational activities featuring elements of personal risk and danger. These types of activities are now becoming a global mainstay for many individuals, economies, and organizations. This study examined the underlying motivations and subsequent behaviors associated with risk-taking recreational activities and used the concepts of eudaimonics and hedonics to examine the motivations for participation from individuals engaging in three different adventure activities occurring in eight different locations. Recruitment took place in several forms, including in-person solicitation of participants at the activity areas, which consisted of mountain biking trailheads, rock climbing areas, and whitewater sites. Data were collected from three popular outdoor adventure activities (OAAs), including mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater boating. This study employed the use of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to investigate the relationship between two independent variable sets, including (1) the activity type, and (2) the level of experience, gender, type of activity, and the dependent variables of the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities (HEMA) scale (eudaimonic and hedonic). In addition, a cumulative odds ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds was utilized to determine the effects of expertise level and activity type on reported eudaimonic and hedonic motivations. A qualitative interview process was utilized to further investigate participant responses surrounding eudaimonic and hedonic motivational perspectives. The results indicated slight variations in experience level in the underlying motivations. Furthermore, qualitative inquiry revealed several motivation categories and diversity in the way those motivations were present throughout the recreation activity.