Perceptions of Youth Transport in Wilderness Therapy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Youth transport is a controversial yet pervasive admission practice in US residential wilderness therapy programs. Little is known about adolescents’ subjective experience of this practice and its connection to outcomes. We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data of 105 adolescents (Male = 64%, M age = 15.7) to examine transported youths’ self-reports of negative pressures (threat, intimidation, and force), voice exclusion (lack of voice), perceived coercion (lack of influence, control, and choice), and angry emotion at admission. We used SEM path analysis to examine the tenability of youth transport’s direct and indirect relationships with these experiences. Results showed 44.8% of adolescents were transported. Transported adolescents reported more negative perceptions of each subjective experience at admission. Path analyses supported the hypothesis that transported adolescents’ increased perceived coercion may relate to their increased perception of negative pressures and voice exclusion, and each of these experiences may relate to increased angry emotion at admission. These findings support the claim that transported youth experience a more coercive and negative admission process which may undermine treatment goals. These findings lay a foundation for future inquiry into potential factors driving these experiences. The therapeutic impact of youth transport remains concerning.