NCJ Number
81085
Date Published
1978
Length
165 pages
Annotation
Twenty-four graduates of the Connecticut Wilderness School were studied to determine the effects of a wilderness rehabilitation experience on selected personality characteristics and attitudes of the troubled youths who completed this program.
Abstract
The youths were referred to the program by agencies such as schools, youth bureaus, police departments, or State institutions for adjudicated youths. The wilderness program, which was based on the Outward Bound model, used such tools for behavioral change as physical training, group dynamics, and contrived stress. A single time series design was used. The study instruments included the Jesness Inventory of personality characteristics and a Delinquency Attitude Index. These 2 instruments established a total of 16 variables which were used to evaluate the 24 subjects. The pretest was given immediately before the beginning of the wilderness experience; the posttest at the conclusion; and the followup 6 to 7 months after graduation. Significant differences were found in the subjects on four of the Jesness Inventory scales and two of the Delinquency Attitude Index scales. Findings indicated that some immediate change and more significant long-range changes occurred in the subjects. It is recommended that Wilderness rehabilitation program alternatives for troubled youths be increased and be accompanied by ongoing evaluations. The reasons why wilderness programs are more effective than traditional treatment should also be studied. The contribution of each program component to behavioral change should also be determined. Other research recommendations, a literature review, tables, and a list of 80 references are provided. Appendixes present additional study data, the Delinquency Attitude Index, a description of the program at the Connecticut Wilderness School, and related materials.