Enhancing resilience in youth through a 10-day developmental voyage

Abstract

The present study sought to examine the potential for resilience to be enhanced in a group of youth participating in a developmental voyage, and to identify the factors that contribute to increased resilience following the voyage. Two studies are reported. Study 1 revealed that voyage participants experienced increased resilience over the course of the voyage. Study 2 sought to replicate and extend these findings by assessing the extent to which increased resilience was maintained five months following the voyage and was associated with other psychosocial variables (i.e. self-esteem, social effectiveness, self-efficacy, belonging, social support and perceived weather). The findings revealed that increased resilience was maintained five months following the voyage. A regression revealed that the predictors explained 37% of the variance in increased resilience. Increased social effectiveness, self-efficacy and less positive perceptions of the weather were the only variables to make unique contributions.

Keywords:

• resilience
• youth development
• adventure education
• self-efficacy
• self-esteem
• social effectiveness

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jill Hayhurst

Jill Hayhurst is a PhD candidate at the University of Otago. Her research focuses on resilience, civic engagement, belonging, generosity, and youth. She has published eight journal articles and co-authored three book chapters, and has been the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Good for Life Scholarship and the New Zealand Psychological Society Best Conference Poster Award.

John A. Hunter

John A. Hunter is a senior lecturer at the University of Otago, Dunedin. His research is concerned with the theoretical and practical ramifications of group-based behaviour, with a focus on intergroup discrimination, health-related outcomes, motivation and socialisation. He has authored over 45 papers and has supervised over 40 PhD, Masters and Honours students.

Sarah Kafka

Sarah Kafka is a PhD candidate at the University of Otago, Dunedin. Her research is concerned with self-esteem, media, belonging, and intergroup behaviour. She has published six journal articles and co-authored two book chapters.

Mike Boyes

Mike Boyes is an Associate Professor in outdoor education at the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. He holds a number of outdoor instructor awards, is a past chairperson of Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) and Outdoors New Zealand (ONZ) and chairs the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council’s research committee.