Grubs and Grasshoppers: Challenge‐Based Recreation and the Collective Efficacy of Families with At‐Risk Youth*

Abstract

This study examined the influence of challenge-based recreation on the collective efficacy of families with at-risk adolescents. Thirty-four families participated in one of three experimental groups and a control group. Collective family recreation efficacy and conflict resolution efficacy increased for families in all three recreation contexts. These findings support the theory that collective efficacy in one domain may generalize to other domains of family life.

Antecedents of Identity Development in a Structured Recreation Setting

“…The findings of this study support previous findings suggesting the general efficacy of adventure recreation programs in promoting positive growth and development (Cason & Gillis, 1994; Hattie, Marsh, Neill, & Richards, 1997; Wells et al, 2004; Widmer, Taniguchi, Duerden, & Freeman, 2005). Recreation should also be considered a prime context to positively impact adolescent identity development.…”

“…The novelty and challenge of the experience led some participants to doubt their ability to successfully complete certain activities. Additionally, previous research suggests that perceptions of challenge may be heightened by participants’ lack of adventure recreation experience (Wells, Widmer, & McCoy, 2004). This lack of experience led some of the youth to doubt their ability to complete certain activities during the program.…”

The Impact of Parental Involvement on a Structured Youth Program Experience: A Qualitative Inquiry

“…Research findings support the efficacy of joint family leisure activities to promote positive functioning (Zabriskie, & McCormick, 2001). For example, families who participated in a challenging outdoor recreation program experienced improved levels of family communication and problem solving efficacy (Huff, Widmer, McCoy, & Hill, 2003;Wells, Widmer, & McCoy, 2004).…”

Self-Efficacy of Risk Taking in Outdoor Recreation as a Predictor of the Self-Efficacy of Risk Taking in Essay Writing

“…Bandura's (1997) writings and research describe the specific mechanisms affecting efficacy judgments: enactive attainment, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological arousal. Some research in the leisure literature has examined the use of recreation modalities to increase self-efficacy in an effort to promote perceived freedom and personal control (e.g., Ellis, Maughan-Pritchett, & Ruddell, 1993;Maughan & Ellis, 1991;Wells, Widmer, & McCoy, 2004;Widmer et al, 2014;Wise & Trunnell, 2001). Further, increased efficacy in one domain (e.g., adventure recreation) can be systematically generalized to another life domain (Grossman & Salas, 2011).…”

“…For example, Wise and Trunnell (2001) examined the viability of increasing efficacy in weight lifting and generalizing increases to activities of daily living among people with disabling conditions. Other research suggests that increasing efficacy in challenging outdoor recreation in families generalizes across domains to promote collective conflict resolution efficacy in families (Wells et al, 2004). One study, specific to challenging outdoor experiences, showed these experiences can be intentionally designed to increase academic efficacy and motivation in adolescents (Widmer et al, 2014).…”