The Identification and Modification of Situational Fears Associated with Outdoor Recreation

Abstract

This study identified what types of situational fears were held by participants in Outward Bound. Levels of fear for each situation were measured for three time periods, baseline, immediately after the course and one year after the course ending. Scores from both students and course instructors were compared to determine levels of agreement. In addition, a MANOVA design used the variables of gender, age and length of course to identify any significant differences in each measurement phase.

Results of the study, identified and ranked in order of “fearfulness” 23 situations which ellicit a fear response. Instructors consistently overestimated the level of situational fears held by their students. For the baseline measurement, gender played an important role in generating a number of differences in levels of fears. For the post course measurement, age and gender both generated a substantial number of differences. It was concluded that gender and to a lesser degree, age, were important variables with respect to levels of situational fears. Moreover, it appeared that participation in Outward Bound was an effective method of reducing situational fears.

KEYWORDS:

• Anxiety
• situational fear
• outward bound