Exploring the significance of early life outdoor experiences: a scoping review of retrospective outdoor methods

ABSTRACT

Outdoor programs have shown holistic health benefits for participants, with recent evidence indicating that these benefits can extend long after the conclusion of the program. The methods employed in retrospective studies exploring these outcomes are diverse, leading to many different approaches. Furthermore, only a few studies reference a theoretical framework guiding the authors’ approach. The primary objectives of this review were to (1) identify the purposes and outcomes from retrospective studies related to outdoor experiences, (2) summarize the methodological characteristics, and (3) compile reported methodological limitations. A Peer Reviewed Electronic Search Strategy (PRESS) was employed to search four prominent databases; Yielding 5206 candidate studies, from which 31 met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis revealed that there were four main study purposes and 22 unique outcomes. Retrospective, longitudinal, and follow-up were the three main methodological designs, with methods exhibiting significant variation and diversity. This review concludes with five suggestions for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• Longitudinal benefits
• outdoor learning
• outdoor adventure
• retrospective research
• outdoor health

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the efforts of librarian Carrie Price MLS, Albert S. Cook Library, and Towson University for reviewing the search strategy and providing valuable feedback for improving it.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2024.2353163

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jonah D’Angelo

Jonah D’Angelo is a PhD candidate at Laurentian University, his research interest focuses on the connections between outdoor experiences and human well-being as well as outdoor health.

Stephen Ritchie

Stephen Ritchie is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He is actively involved in a diverse portfolio of research devoted to understanding wilderness, adventure, and outdoor education in the context of achieving personal growth and holistic health outcomes. His research includes several collaborations with Indigenous communities in rural and remote locations.

Simon Priest

Simon Priest was a university professor of adventurous and environmental outdoor learning in Ontario. Internationally, he has been a Dean, Provost, Vice-Chancellor, Senior Vice President, President, Commissioner, and Advisor to a Minister of Education. He has received numerous awards and accepted over 30 visiting scholar positions around the world in outdoor learning. Now early retired in British Columbia, he spends his time hiking, biking, gardening, researching, teaching, and writing.

Bruce Oddson

Bruce Oddson is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Sciences at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario Canada. Bruce engages in a variety of research projects related to health, wellness and learning.

Daniel B. Scott

Daniel B. Scott is an Associate Librarian at Laurentian University. His research interests include understanding how linked open data supports the discovery of library resources and exploratory search. Daniel particularly enjoys combinations of camping, hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. https://dscott.ca/