Offering mental health supports to college students in a rock climbing course: A recreational therapy program evaluation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.0302

Keywords:

college students, mental health, recreational therapy, resilience, rock climbing, self-efficacy

Abstract

This program evaluation was part of a broader research study that aimed to evaluate a new recreational therapy (RT) program focused on developing resiliency and self-efficacy in college students through a combination of rock climbing, mindfulness, and reflective journaling activities. RT programming was imbedded in an introductory college rock climbing course offered over three consecutive days, and participants experienced significant increases in resiliency and self-efficacy post-program. Given the multifaceted structure of the intervention, this program evaluation aimed to (a) clarify the role of specific program elements by assessing the RT program’s alignment with its 12 intended objectives and (b) determine the program’s appropriateness for its intended clientele by assessing perceived value to college students. Evaluation surveys revealed that 11 of the 12 objectives (91.67 percent) were met based on established thresholds for participant feedback, indicating that the program content and activities were well aligned with the intended objectives. Additionally, all of the participants (N = 12) either agreed (n = 4) or strongly agreed (n = 8) that the program had value to them.

 

Author Biographies

Elizabeth Obray, MS, TRT, CTRS

Recreational Therapist and Graduate Student, Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

Rhonda Nelson, PhD, MTRS, CTRS, FDRT

Assistant Professor and Recreational Therapy Program Director, Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

References

American College Health Association: American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III: Reference group executive summary fall 2020. 2020. Available at https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHA-III_fall_2020_reference_group_executive_summary_updated.pdf. Accessed September 27, 2023.

American College Health Association: American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III: Reference group executive summary spring 2021. 2021. Available at https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHAIII_SPRING-2021_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY_updated.pdf. Accessed September 27, 2023.

American College Health Association: American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III: Reference group executive summary spring 2022. 2022. Available at https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHAIII_SPRING_2022_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Davydov DM, Stewart R, Richie K, et al.: Resilience and mental health. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010; 30: 479-495. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.003.

Ewert A, Tessneer S: Psychological resilience and posttraumatic growth: An exploratory analysis. J Exp Educ. 2019; 42(3): 280-296. DOI: 10.1177/1053825919859027.

Guimarāes RM: Resilience. J Nutr Health Aging. 2018; 22(10): 1146-1147.

Robertson I, Cooper CL: Resilience. Stress Health. 2013; 29: 175-176. DOI: 10.1002/SMI.2512.

Yildirim M, Arslan G, Özaslan A: Perceived risk and mental health problems among healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the mediating effects of resilience and coronavirus fear. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2022; 20: 1035-1045. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00424-8.

Schwarzer R, Warner LM: Perceived self-efficacy and its relationship to resilience. In Prince-Embury S, Saklofske DH (eds.): Resilience in Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Berlin: Springer, 2013: 139-150.

Sabouripour F, Rosian S, Ghiami Z, et al.: Mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between optimism, psychological well-being, and resilience among Iranian students. Front Psychol. 2021; 12. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.675645.

American Psychological Association: Resilience. Available at https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Rutter M: Annual research review: Resilience—Clinical implications. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2013; 54(4): 474-487. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02615.

Complete Therapies: The 5 great domains of recreation therapy. 2021. Available at https://www.completetherapies.com/5-domains-of-recreation-therapy/. Accessed September

, 2023.

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification: About recreational therapy. Available at https://www.nctrc.org/about-ncrtc/about-recreational-therapy/. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Wozencroft A, Waller SN, Hayes GA, et al.: Spirituality and the therapeutic recreation practitioner: Exploring the implications for practice and research. J Christ Soc Kinesiol Leis Stud. 2012; 2(1): 41-53.

Brewer M, van Kessel G, Sanderson B, et al.: Resilience in higher education students: A scoping review. High Educ Res Dev. 2019; 38(6). DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2019.162810.

Turner M, Scott-Young C, Holdsworth S: Promoting wellbeing at university: The role of resilience for students of the built environment. Constr Manag Econ. 2017; 35(11-12): 707-718. DOI: 10.1080/10446193.2017.1353698.

Wallace SG: Rethinking risk: How to build resiliency and reward. American Camp Association. 2021. Available at https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/rethinking-risk-how-build-resiliency-reward. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Ackerman CE: What is self-efficacy theory? (Incl. 8 examples & scales). Positive psychology. Available at https://positivepsychology.com/self-efficacy/#theory-self-efficacy. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Bandura A: The explanatory and predictive scope of self-efficacy theory. J Soc Clin Psychol. 1986; 4(3): 359-373.

Harrison M, McGire F: An investigation of the influence of vicarious experience on perceived self-efficacy. J Exp Educ. 2006; 28(3): 257-258.

Ewert A, Yoshino A: A preliminary exploration of the influence of short-term adventure-based expeditions on levels of resilience. J Exp Educ. 2008; 30(3): 262-266.

Lambert K: The mental-health benefits of climbing. Outside. July 29, 2021. Available at https://www.climbing.com/news/mental-health-benefits-of-climbing/. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Zwart R, Ewart A: Human health and outdoor adventure recreation: Perceived health outcomes. Forests. 2022; 13: 869. DOI: 10.3390/f13060869.

Holzschuh A: Does rock climbing threaten cliff biodiversity? A critical review. Biol Conserv. 2016; 204: 153-162. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2016.10.010.

Keulthau W: Rock climbing statistics: Accidents, injuries, deaths, & demographics. 2022. Available at https://www.99boulders.com/the-growth-of-climbing. Accessed May 1, 2024.

Bailey A, Hughes A, Bullock K, et al.: A climber’s mentality: EEG analysis of climbers in action. J Outdoor Recreat Educ Leaders. 2019; 11(1): 53-69. DOI: 10.18666/JOREL-2019-V11-I1-9268.

Winkler HE: Balancing on the edge: An approach to leadership and resiliency that combines rock climbing with four key touch points. School Adm. 2005; 62(2): 20-23.

Kratzer A, Luttenberger K, Karg-Hefner N, et al.: Bouldering psychotherapy is effective in enhancing perceived self-efficacy in people with depression: Results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychol. 2021; 9(126). DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00627-1.

Wheatley KA: Exploring the relationship between mindfulness and rock-climbing: A controlled study. Curr Psychol. 2023; 42(4): 2680-2692. DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01593-y.

Jia-Yuan Z, Xiang-Zi J, Yi-Nan F, et al.: Emotion management for college students: Effectiveness of a mindfulness-based emotional management intervention on emotion regulation and resilience of college students. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2022; 210(9): 716-722.

Allan JF, McKenna J, Hind K: Brain resilience: Shedding light into the black box of adventure processes. Aust J Outdoor Educ. 2012; 16(1): 3-14.

Benitez L: To climb a mountain: Lessons in resiliency from high-altitude mountaineer Louis Benitez. American Camp Association. 2010. Available at https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/climb-mountainlessons-resiliency-high-altitude-mountaineer-luis-benitez. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Chung JOK, Li WHC, Ho KY, et al.: Adventure-based training to enhance resilience and reduce depressive symptoms among juveniles: A randomized controlled trial. Res Nurs Health. 2021; 44: 438-448. DOI: 10.1002/nur.22127.

Tukaiev S, Dolgova O, Van Den Tol AJM, et al.: Individual psychological determinants of stress resistance in rock climbers. J Phys Educ Sport. 2020; 20(Suppl. 1): 469-476. DOI: 10.7752/jpes.2020.s1069.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy: Wilderness therapy programs: A systematic review of research. 2022. Available at https://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1748/wsipp_Wilderness-Therapy-Programs-A-Systematic-Review-of-research_report.pdf. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Liu S, Gong X, Li H, et al.: The origin, application and mechanism of therapeutic climbing: A narrative review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(15): 9696. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159696.

Kabat-Zinn J: Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clin Psychol Sci Practice. 2003; 10(2): 144-156. DOI: 10.1093/clipsy.bpg016.

Ramasubramanian S: Mindfulness, stress coping and everyday resilience among emerging youth in a university setting: A mixed methods approach. Int J Adolesc Youth. 2017; 22(3): 308-321. DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2016.1175361.

Crawford A, Sellman E, Joseph S: Journaling: A more mindful approach to researching a mindfulness-based intervention in a junior school. Int J Qual Methods. 2021; 20: 1-11. DOI: 10.1177/16094069211014771.

Klussman K, Nichols A, Langer J, et al.: Improving mindfulness through self-connection. Eur Rev Appl Psychol. 2021; 71(6): 100626. DOI: 10/1016/j.erap.2021.100626.

Horton AG, Gibson KB, Curington AM: Exploring reflective journaling as a learning tool: An interdisciplinary approach. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2021; 35: 195-199. DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.09.009.

Morris MH: Write it out! CPR for the soul. Nurs Clin. 2020; 55(4): 475-488. DOI: 10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.014.

American Therapeutic Recreation Association: Standards of the Practice of Therapeutic Recreation & Self-Assessment Guide. Alexandria, VA: American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 2013.

McCormick R, James M: Curriculum Evaluation in Schools. Milton Park: Routledge, 2018. DOI: 10.4324/9780429454233.

McCuddy MK, Pinar M, Gingerich EF: Using student feedback in designing student-focused curricula. Int J Educ Manag. 2008; 22(7): 611-637.

Obray L, Nelson R, Furman N, et al.: Evaluating the impact of a recreational therapy and rock climbing program on resilience and self-efficacy in college students. J Outdoor Recreat Educ Leaders. 2024; 16(2): 52-60. DOI: 10.18666/JOREL-2024-12193.

Swedberg R: Chapter 2: Exploratory research. In Elman C, Gerring J, Mahoney J (eds.): The Production of Knowledge: Enhancing Progress in Social Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020: 17-41.

Hallingberg B, Turley R, Segrott J, et al.: Exploratory studies to decide whether and how to proceed with full-scale evaluations of public health interventions: A systematic review of guidance. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2018; 4: 1-12.

Connor KM, Davidson JR: Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depress Anxiety. 2003; 18(2): 76-82.

Chen G, Gully SM, Eden D: Validation of a New General Self-Efficacy Scale. Organ Res Methods. 2001; 4(1): 62-83.

Barankevich R, Loebach J: Self-care and mental health among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Social and physical environment features of interactions which impact meaningfulness and mitigate loneliness. Front Psychol. 2022; 13: 879408. DOI: 10.3389/fp-syg.2022.879408.

Vindegaard N, Benros ME: COVID-19 pandemic and mental health consequences: Systematic review of the current evidence. Brain Behav Immun. 2020; 89: 531-542. DOI: 10.1016j.bbi.2020.05.048.

Johnson I: Diversity in climbing: A difficult conversation. Outside. September 15, 2016. Available at https://www.climbing.com/people/diversity-in-climbing-a-tough-conversation/. Accessed September 27, 2013.

Zippia: Climber demographics and statistics in the US. Available at https://www.zippia.com/climber-jobs/demographics/. Accessed September 27, 2023.

Published

12/01/2024

How to Cite

Obray, E., & Nelson, R. (2024). Offering mental health supports to college students in a rock climbing course: A recreational therapy program evaluation. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 23(3), 41–53. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.0302

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)