Retreat Program Research Articles

Addressing the ethnicity degree awarding gap through writing retreats: a case study and reflection

The awarding gap between UK-domiciled full-time Black and white students is a significant problem at HE institutions across the country. This paper examines a case study of a dissertation writing retreat programme which sought to address this awarding gap at a university in the south of England. The programme was based on an innovative ‘three Cs’ framework which focused on three core areas: Community, Culture, and Curriculum. Inspired by the community-building and curriculum elements of the framework, the programme built trust and collaboration between specialists and students, aiming to empower Black students to excel in one of the most important and impactful aspects of their degree, whilst also providing them with a space to engage positively with their peers and the wider university community.

Development and evaluation of a writing retreat program to build community and promote productivity in academic hospital medicine.

Scientific writing is a core component of academic hospital medicine, and yet finding time to engage in deeply focused writing is difficult in part due to the highly clinical, 24/7 nature of the specialty that can limit opportunities for writing-focused collaboration and mentorship. Our objective was to develop and evaluate an academic writing retreat program. We drafted a set of key retreat features to guide implementation of a 3-day, 2-night retreat program held within a 2 h radius of our hospital. Agendas included writing blocks ranging from 45 to 90 min interspersed with breaks and opportunities for feedback, exercise, and preparing meals together. After each retreat, we distributed an evaluation with multiple choice and free text response options to characterize retreat helpfulness and later gathered data on the status of each paper and grant worked on. We held 4 retreats between September 2022 and October 2023, engaging 18 faculty and fellows at a cost of $296 per attendee per retreat. In evaluations, nearly 80% reported that the retreat was extremely helpful, and comments praised the highly mentored environment, enriching community of colleagues, and release from commitments that get in the way of writing. Of the 24 papers attendees worked on, 12 have been accepted and 6 are under review. Of the 4 grant proposals, 2 are under review. We implemented a low-cost, productive writing retreat program that attendees reported was helpful in supporting deep work and represented a meaningful step toward building a community centered around academic writing.

Youth, Sport, and Faith: Identity Formation in High School Athletes

It is widely accepted that the transition from youth to adulthood in western industrialized societies brings with it a series of tensions and dilemmas in terms of identity formation. One of the areas where such formational issues often manifest themselves is through the faith journeys of young people. This paper presents empirical evidence from a small-scale qualitative study of one faith–sport initiative—Run the Race Well—a US-based venture which, through an annual retreat program, aims to provide theological support for high school athletes involved in the higher echelons of sport in their age group. Utilizing the “voices” of retreat participants, the paper uncovers some of the issues surrounding the Christian identity of the young people who have participated in the program and explores how the prioritization of lifestyle activities (e.g., education, sport, and faith) has the potential to give rise to particular problems and anxieties. The paper discusses some of the complexities of this prioritization process to reveal how young people seek to navigate and negotiate their identities, both as elite athletes and Christians, and how the tensions and dilemmas of teenage life shape their views of the overall relationship between sport and faith. The paper concludes by suggesting that amidst the wider anxieties of youth transition, intentional investment by others (via theological teaching, sports coaching, and one-to-one, group, and peer mentoring) can provide a catalyst for identity formation and personal/faith development.

“Just Do It!” The Art of Teaching Enlightenment: A Study of a Korean Ganhwa Seon Master

This study examines the teaching practices of a Korean Ganhwa Seon master to shed light on an effective approach to helping practitioners engage in Seon practice. Few prior studies have analyzed methods of teaching Ganhwa Seon, which is a traditional Buddhist practice for achieving sudden enlightenment. Using the CRISPA framework, which entails connection, risk-taking, imagination, sensory experience, perceptivity, and active engagement, we conducted a single intrinsic case study by observing and interviewing a Korean Ganhwa Seon master during a seven-day retreat program. The participating Ganhwa Seon master incorporated all six CRISPA elements, with an emphasis on active engagement, connection, and risk-taking. In addition, compassion was an essential component of Ganhwa Seon teaching. The findings distinguish the teaching of Korean Ganhwa Seon from the teaching of Chinese Chan, highlight the unique features of instruction in Korean Ganhwa Seon, and provide insight into effective ways to teach Seon practice.

Changes in cortisol awakening responses (CAR) in menopausal women through short-term marine healing retreat program with specific factors affecting each CAR index.

Recent studies have reported that the cortisol awakening response (CAR) is associated with various health risks. The different indices used to represent the CAR include the average cortisol levels in the morning immediately after waking (AVE); the total area under the curve of cortisol levels with respect to ground (AUCg); and the area under the curve of cortisol levels with respect to increase (AUCi). However, it is unclear which physiological phenomenon each index reflects. This study investigated the factors, such as stress, circadian rhythm, sleep, and obesity, affecting the CAR through a marine retreat-based healing program in which the anticipated stress of the participants could be controlled to some degree. Fifty-one menopausal women in their 50s and 60s were included, who performed beach yoga and Nordic walking for four days at an uncontaminated beach. The baseline CAR indices showed that the AVE and AUCg were significantly higher in the high sleep efficiency group than in the low sleep efficiency group. However, the AUCi decreased substantially with increasing age. The changes in the AVE, AUCg, and AUCi were calculated through the program, and it was found that the AVE and AUCg increased significantly more in the obese group than in the normal and overweight groups. The obese group also showed significantly decreased serum triglyceride and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels compared to the low BMI group. Thus, it was confirmed that AVE and AUCg reflected physiological phenomena affected by factors such as sleep efficiency and obesity, whereas the AUCi was affected by factors such as age. In addition, the marine retreat program can improve the low levels of CAR associated with obesity and aging.

The income consequences of a managed retreat

Managed retreat is the relocation of households out of harm's way. After the 2011 Christchurch (New Zealand) earthquake, around 16000 people were thus relocated in a managed retreat program. We use administrative panel data (2004–2018) to identify the effects of this managed retreat on the relocated population. We find that, compared to the non-relocated residents, the relocated population experienced a significant initial decrease in their wages, and in their total income. Wages of those who were relocated were reduced by around $NZ 1900. Women faced greater absolute and relative decreases in wages. This finding has direct implications for the compensation packages that should be proposed for managed retreat programs.

Identity transition process: a study of the holistic wellness retreat experience

Purpose Wellness tourism offers opportunities for consumers to explore the self. This paper aims to explore how identity transitions occur in a liminal tourism space – a holistic wellness retreat. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopt a qualitative methodology, including in-depth semi-structured interviews supplemented by various projective techniques. Following an interpretivist approach, eight consumers were interviewed at the commencement and the completion of a holistic wellness retreat stay. Participant observation was also undertaken during the retreat programme. Findings The paper shows an identity transition is facilitated by the liminal space of the holistic wellness retreat and further shaped by self-work during the retreat. As participants gain new knowledge on the self and start living “consciously”, they gain a sense of vision, clarity and direction to a new self, wherein identity transition is a starting point and a process of change rather than an end goal. Originality/value While much past research views tourism activities as mainly “play”, the findings reveal the holistic wellness retreat experiences as both identity play and identity work. This paper provides theoretical insights into the process from identity play to identity work and what makes this process effective for identity transition.

Effect of the Marine Exercise Retreat Program on Thyroid-Related Hormones in Middle-Aged Euthyroid Women.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a marine exercise retreat program on thyroid-related hormone levels. A total of 62 middle-aged euthyroid women participated in a 6-day marine exercise retreat program. Using thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) hormone levels, the participants were divided into high and low-hormone-level groups. Despite decreased TSH and fT4 levels after the program, the factors influencing changes in each group were different. TSH levels were influenced by changes in the normalized low frequency (nLF) of heart rate variability and carbon monoxide (CO) from all the participants, and changes in body fat percentage, nLF, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure level in the high TSH group. fT4 levels were influenced by changes in body mass index (BMI), NO2 exposure, and particulate matter diameter of 10 µm or less (PM10) exposure in all participants. Changes in BMI and CO exposure influenced the low fT4 group. Lastly, changes in the exercise stress test affected the high fT4 group. Thus, the marine exercise retreat program affected euthyroid thyroid-related hormone levels, and influencing factors differ depending on the initial value of the hormone.

The feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the multimodal, community-based LoveYourBrain Retreat program for people with traumatic brain injury and caregivers

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the LoveYourBrain Retreat program using a pre-post, retrospective, concurrent triangulation mixed methods study. Materials and methods A 5-day, multimodal, residential Retreat intervention was designed to improve quality of life among traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and caregivers through mindfulness, movement, nutrition, art, and community-building. Eligibility included being a TBI survivor (>2 years post-injury) or caregiver, 18+ years old, independently mobile, able to communicate verbally, and a first-time participant. Self-reported quantitative and qualitative data were collected via electronic surveys pre- and post-retreat, analyzed separately, then combined. Paired t-tests assessed mean differences in scores on Quality of Life After Brain Injury Overall scale (QOLIBRI-OS) and NIH TBI/Neuro-QOL Resilience, Cognition, Positive Affect/Wellbeing, and Emotional/Behavioral Dysregulation scales. We assessed feasibility using sample characteristics and program frequency and retention, and acceptability using quality ratings. Content analysis explored perceived benefits and improvements. Results 68 People—53 with TBI and 15 caregivers—participated in one of three LoveYourBrain Retreats. Significant improvements were found in QOLIBRI-OS (6.91, 95%CI 1.88–11.94), Resilience (2.14, 95%CI 0.50–3.78), Cognition (2.81, 95%CI 0.79–4.83), and Emotional/Behavioral Dysregulation (2.84, 95%CI 0.14–5.54) among TBI survivors (n = 41). Mean satisfaction was 9.6/10 (SD = 0.64). Content analysis revealed community connection, reframing TBI experience, self-regulation, and self-care themes. Conclusions The LoveYourBrain Retreat is feasible, acceptable, and may be effective complementary rehabilitation to improve QOL among TBI survivors.

إدارة برنامج تعليم اللغة العربية في معهد "خلوة تحفيظ القرآن واللغة العربية" كارانج أنيار جاوى الوسطى

ملخص البحث: أصبحت إدارة برامج تعليم اللغة العربية بحاجة إلى الكثير من الدراسات من أجل تحسن جودتها، لأن إدارة برنامج التعليم الجيدة تزيد من دافعية الطلبة للتعلم. يهدف هذا البحث إلى وصف برنامج تعليم اللغة العربية في معهد "خلوة تحفيظ القرآن واللغة العربية" كارانج أنيار جاوى الوسطى، وصف إدارة البرنامج، وذكر المزايا والعيوب لهذه الإدارة. يستخدم هذا البحث المنهج الكيفي بنوع دراسة الحالة. ونتائج هذا البحث: (1) أن برنامج معهد خلوة هو برنامج تحفيظ القرآن وتعليم اللغة العربية بشكل مكثف خلال سنة واحدة. (2) إدارة هذا البرنامج يكون على أربع خطوات: التخطيط والتنظيم والتنفيذ والمراقبة. (3) مزايا إدارة برنامج الخلوة: البيئة اللغوية، ومبدأ المشاورة، ووحدة الفكرة والهدف، وإدارة الموارد البشرية، وعيوبها: قلة الخبرة، وقلة المدرسين، وعدم وحدة الأمر، والمنهج الدراسي ثقيل على الطلبة، وإشراف الطلبة، وإدارة الميزانية.   الكلمات المفتاحية: إدارة تعليمية، تعليم اللغة العربية   Abstract: The management of Arabic language education programs needs a lot of studies in order to improve its quality, because good education program management increases students' motivation to learn. This research aims to describe Arabic language teaching program at the “Kholwah Al Qur’an dan Bahasa Arab” Karanganyar Central Java, describe the management of the program, and mention the advantages and disadvantages of this administration. This research uses the qualitative approach with the type of case study. The results of this research: (1) The program of the “Kholwah Al Qur’an dan Bahasa Arab” is a program for memorizing the Qur’an and teaching the Arabic language intensively during one year. (2) The management of this program shall be in four steps: planning, organizing, actuating and controlling. (3) The advantages of managing the retreat program: the linguistic environment, the principle of consultation, the unity of idea and goal, and the management of human resources, and its disadvantages: lack of experience, lack of teachers, lack of unity of command, the curriculum is heavy on students, student supervision, and budget management.   Keywords: Arabic teaching, educational management

Examining the Efficacy and Feasibility of a Residential Retreat Program for First Responders and Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

Examining the Efficacy and Feasibility of a Residential Retreat Program for First Responders and Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

Are managed retreat programs successful and just? A global mapping of success typologies, justice dimensions, and trade-offs

As managed retreat programs expand across the globe, there is an urgent need to assess whether these programs are reducing exposure to climatic hazards, enhancing adaptive capacity, and improving the living conditions of communities in a just and equitable manner or are they exacerbating existing risks and vulnerabilities? Strictly speaking, are retreat programs successful? Using an expansive intersectional justice approach to examine 138 post-resettlement case studies published between 2000 and 2021 across the Global North and South, we identified five typologies of success – techno-managerial, eco-restorative, compensatory, reformative, and transformative – and their trade-offs and synergies. Our meta-analysis incorporated a variety of metrics: relocation types, funding, decision making, socio-economic class, land use change, livelihood options, and social impacts. We found 26% of cases failed, 43% were successful, and 30% are on-going and therefore success was undetermined. The techno-managerial cases, while successful in the limited terms of relocating residents, paid little attention to equity and justice. The eco-restorative and compensatory cases reduced hazard exposure but revealed the synergies and tensions associated with social, ecological, and intergenerational justice. The reformative and transformative cases improved community wellbeing, rootedness, and access to livelihoods while incorporating diverse justice concerns to different degrees. By intersecting these typologies with multiple dimensions of justice, this study advances a novel planning and analytical tool for assessing the potential success or failure of current and future retreat programs.

The Emergency Medicine Resident Retreat: Creating and Sustaining a Transformative and Reflective Experience

Introduction Burnout rates for emergency medicine residents are high. One intervention and initiative to enhance wellness and address burnout is the resident retreat. Retreats have multiple formats and are often designed with an emphasis on social events. This longitudinal retreat curriculum for a three-year residency training program was designed emphasizing rest, a step away from what is familiar, and reflection. MethodsIndividual resident retreats were designed for each year of postgraduate training. The agenda for each is organized and intentional. Activities focused on personal well-being, self-reflection, team building, professional development, and physical activities are coupled with topics unique to class year roles and responsibilities. Retreats are held away from the hospital establishing a separation from the workplace.ResultsThe retreat program has been sustainable for almost decades with trainees evaluating it highly. Faculty and residents enthusiastically participate in the program and consider it a fundamental part of the residency; 93.75% of residents surveyed strongly agreed that the retreats benefit their training while 94.2% strongly agreed that retreats increased their enthusiasm for training.ConclusionsAn emergency medicine resident retreat program focusing on unique elements for each post-graduate year is achievable and sustainable in an emergency medicine residency program. Over time, the retreat has become an integral part of the residency experience with positive experiences for both faculty and trainees.

Islamic Existential Psychotherapy as Intervention for Inter-Psyche Conflicts in Jinn Possession

Jinn possession and mental disorder have overlapping symptoms, and different therapy disciplines may diagnose those with overlapping symptoms as either mental disorder or jinn possession or both. The different approaches to psychotherapy do not recognise the existence of jinn possession and thus may be shunned by those with jinn possession. Jinn is spiritually similar to humans and is accountable for their actions. Like the human, jinn has a psyche comprising the aql (intellect faculty) and the qalb (cognitive faculty). In jinn possession, the jinn psyche exists alongside the human psyche in the human body, creating inter-psyche conflicts between both psyches. The conflicts are not limited to psychological but can also extend to physical conflicts when both psyches compete to control the human central nervous system. Therapy for jinn possession requires changing the power balance to eliminate the dominance of the jinn psyche over the human psyche. Ruqyah can weaken the jinn’s physical ability, but psychotherapy is needed to strengthen the human mind to address the inter-psyche conflicts. Using Islamic existential philosophy as an approach, a new Islamic Existential Psychotherapy (IEP) discusses both human and jinn existential issues and the conflicts between the two species. The impact of IEP on 209 patients with jinn possession, 65 of them with mental disorders, who attended a treatment retreat programme was analysed. Thus, two main themes emerged in the IEP sessions, and IEP was highly successful in changing patients’ approach to the diagnosis of jinn possession, increasing their self-esteem, higher motivation, and compliance through the understanding of inter psyche conflicts. As a result, IEP is highly suitable for the psychological intervention of jinn possession as it recognises jinn possession and addresses inter-psyche conflicts between the jinn psyche and the human psyche. It is also in harmony with the belief of Muslims and is more palatable to Muslim clients in explaining issues such as the purpose and meaning of life, guilt, grief, and coping mechanisms.

“It’s exciting and rewarding!”: structured mini writing retreats as a tool for undergraduate researchers

ABSTRACT A good research base exists on the benefits of structured writing retreats and similar provision for academic staff and postgraduate researchers, but to date little has been published about the worth of such events for undergraduate students. This is despite the fact that undergraduate student researchers also experience external pressures, distractions and ambivalent or negative feelings towards writing just as academic staff and postgraduate students do. This paper reports on a mixed methods study of a structured writing retreat programme with third year undergraduate students over four academic years. The resulting data confirmed that one of the biggest challenges for students was finding time and space to write, which mirrors the findings of studies focused on more experienced researchers. The group of writing retreat participants had a very different experience and data revealed the power of these events for this group of students. The data presented here suggest that retreats should much more widely offered for undergraduate students in the latter stages of their degree programmes.

“Putting Down and Letting Go”: An Exploration of a Community-Based Trauma-Oriented Retreat Program for Military Personnel, Veterans, and RCMP

(1) Background: Current military members, veterans, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) experience higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury (MI). Trauma-oriented retreats have been offered as a means of addressing these concerns. This article aims to explore the impact of a non-evidence-based trauma-oriented retreat for the above populations experiencing PTSD or MI; (2) Methods: This qualitative study, nested within the larger mixed-methods pre/post longitudinal follow-up study, examined the experiences of 124 military members, veterans, and RCMP who participated in the retreat. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and first-hand observations of the organization. Analysis was conducted using thematic analysis while being informed by realist evaluation principles; (3) Results: The results showed that important contextual elements were related to participants being ready, having multiple comorbidities and using the program as a first or last resort. Effectual mechanisms included a home-like setting; immersion; credibility of facilitators; experiential learning; an holistic approach; letting go, and reconnecting to self. Outcomes included: re-finding self, symptom management, social connection, and hope for a meaningful life. The gendered analysis suggested less favorable results; (4) Conclusions: Care is warranted as the evidence-base and effectiveness of trauma-oriented retreats yet needs to be established prior to broad use.

“Making it okay”: professionals in high-stress environments construct their understanding of the impact of a yoga-based retreat designed to build resilience

ABSTRACT Purpose While there is growing evidence for resilience building programmes, to date research has not explored how professionals construct understanding of programme impact. RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement), a 5-day yoga-based retreat programme, has been linked with positive wellness outcomes. This qualitative inquiry explores participants' reflection and experience 3 months after programme completion. Methods Through a grounded constructivist lens, in-depth semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 17 adult professionals in high-stress work environments who attended RISE. Initial hand-coding informed codebook development for systematic coding using directed content analysis using sensitizing structuring. Results Two integrated perceptions woven through five themes. Persistent threads of experiential learning and sense of permission provided structure for themes found. Five interrelated themes related to psychological health and workplace dynamics were (1) use of acquired behavioural skills and practices; (2) lived mindfulness; (3) resilience to stress and emotion regulation (4) self-care and self-compassion, and (5) sharing with others. Conclusion Findings provide meaningful interpretation of previously reported programme efficacy by contextualizing perceived benefits within participants' constructed understanding of change. Specifically, environmental, social, and experiential considerations have suggested implications for resilience building programmes. Abbreviations: RISE (resilience, integration, self-awareness, engagement)

Large-scale genomic study reveals robust activation of the immune system following advanced Inner Engineering meditation retreat

The positive impact of meditation on human well-being is well documented, yet its molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. We applied a comprehensive systems biology approach starting with whole-blood gene expression profiling combined with multilevel bioinformatic analyses to characterize the coexpression, transcriptional, and protein-protein interaction networks to identify a meditation-specific core network after an advanced 8-d Inner Engineering retreat program. We found the response to oxidative stress, detoxification, and cell cycle regulation pathways were down-regulated after meditation. Strikingly, 220 genes directly associated with immune response, including 68 genes related to interferon signaling, were up-regulated, with no significant expression changes in the inflammatory genes. This robust meditation-specific immune response network is significantly dysregulated in multiple sclerosis and severe COVID-19 patients. The work provides a foundation for understanding the effect of meditation and suggests that meditation as a behavioral intervention can voluntarily and nonpharmacologically improve the immune response for treating various conditions associated with excessive or persistent inflammation with a dampened immune system profile.

Climate justice and home-buyout programs: renters as a forgotten population in managed retreat actions.

For most Americans, the value of their home represents the largest portion of their total wealth; accordingly, homeowners even in very poor areas can obtain some benefit from a home-buyout program as a means to move away from risk and begin again. Renters, however, are an overlooked population during implementation of post-disaster retreat programs that predominantly focus on homeownership. Racism is a substantial factor in homeownership disparities between black and white Americans that can be traced to the post World War II GI Bill—a law that delivered to returning veterans federally-backed home mortgage loans, loans that were largely denied to returning black soldiers. These inequities have not been overcome, leaving minority renters as some of the most vulnerable populations after a disaster. Indeed, some renters may be substantially worse off after a buy-out program is implemented in an area. Renters represent an atypical “trapped” population when it comes to relocation programs because they may be economically forced to move to even more climate vulnerable housing. This paper will explore post-implementation impact on renters of home buy-out and similar retreat programs. We will examine the factors that contribute to this cycle of failed re-location efforts for this sub-group such as the lack of retreat policies aimed at assisting low-income renters, lack or limitations of home or rental insurance, the absence of “duty to warn” obligations from landlords to inform renters of repeated flooding risks at the property, and market failure to encompass climate risks in rental pricing.

Effect of a One-Week Spiritual Retreat on Brain Functional Connectivity: A Preliminary Study

Background: Many individuals participate in spiritual retreats to enhance their sense of spirituality or to improve their overall mental and spiritual well-being. We are not aware of any studies specifically evaluating changes in functional connectivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in individuals undergoing an intense spiritual retreat program. The goal of this study was to determine whether such changes occur as a result of participating in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Methods: We conducted psychological and spiritual measures in conjunction with functional connectivity analysis of fMRI in 14 individuals prior to and following shortly after their participation in a one-week spiritual retreat. Results: Significant changes in functional connectivity were observed after the retreat program, compared to baseline evaluation, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex, pallidum, superior frontal lobe, superior parietal lobe, superior and inferior temporal lobe, and the cerebellum. Significant changes in a variety of psychological and spiritual measures were identified as result of participation in the retreat. Conclusion: Overall, these preliminary findings suggest that this intensive spiritual retreat resulted in significant changes in brain functional connectivity, and warrants further investigation to evaluate the physiological, psychological, and spiritual impact of these changes.