Outdoor adventure and physical disability: Participants' perceptions of the catalysts of change

Abstract

Positive changes in behavioural states can occur as a result of participation in outdoor adventure programs, but how these changes and benefits occur and what variables influence their occurrence remain virtually unknown. Compared to other minority groups, people with physical disabilities have received little attention with researchers generally focusing on juvenile delinquents and 'problem' youth. This research used quantitative and qualitative mixed methodologies to determine the catalysts of change for participants with physical disabilities attending an outdoor adventure course.The two outdoor adventure courses were held at Outward Bound New Zealand over eight days each in 2003. Each course consisted of outdoor adventure activities such as bush-walking, rock-climbing, rafting, sailing, and high ropes courses. Facilitated de-briefing sessions led by instructors occurred after each activity. There were 4 female and 13 male participants, aged between 18-38 years (m = 27 years). All participants had a physical disability ranging from cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, and spina bifida to hemiplegia, fibromyalgia, and muscular dystrophy. Fourteen participants had congenital disabilities and three acquired their disabilities between 6 and 12 years prior to the course (m = 10.2 years). Four participants used wheelchairs for mobility while the other 13 had varying degrees of ambulatory function.The measures used included two quantitative questionnaires: the Life Effectiveness Questionnaire (LEQ), and the Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDPS) as well as focus groups, in-depth interviews, observation, and journal entries. The research design enabled data to be collected as early as one month pre-course, during the course, one week post course, and a three month follow up.The LEQ is designed to assess the changes in self-perceptions of participants in outdoor adventure programs. Findings from the LEQ indicated the course had an overall effect size of 0.12. Of the eight dimensions within this measure the largest amount of change was identified in the dimension of intellectual flexibility. Minor change was identified in emotional control, social competence, achievement motivation, active initiative, and self confidence. There was no change in time management or task leadership. The IDPS measured prevalent attitudes of instructors which generalize across disability types. Overall, there was a trend towards a positive shift in attitude across all six factors although this was not significant (p=.O7). Of the six factors, a significant change was determined in both discomfort (p=.01) and uncertainty (p=.O4).Qualitative data indicated achieving physical challenges participants originally perceived as beyond their limits was a major catalyst in persevering to overcome other barriers. Through the activities one participant said he changed his beliefs about his own abilities and proved to himself and others that he could do it. Several participants indicated emotional/psychological changes as being of high importance. Participants also cited social factors as something that both supported them in their achievements and provided opportunities for friendship.Changes were observed in all areas of behaviour, on all activities, individually, in pairs, intra and inter group, and with instructors.