Shifts in Attachment Relationships: A Study of Adolescents in Wilderness Treatment

Abstract

This study examined shifts in adolescents' attachment relationships with parents and peers during a 7-week wilderness therapy program. Ninety-six adolescents, aged 14-17, completed three quantitative measurements evaluating attachment relationships with mother, father and peers pre and post treatment. Adolescents reported improved attachment relationships in terms of decreased anger and increased emotional connection towards parents. Results also showed adolescents' more troubled attachment relationships in terms of trust and communication with parents by the end of treatment. Adolescents reported similarly mixed results in both a positive and negative direction regarding peers. These findings indicate the complexity of parent-adolescent relationships particularly considered in the context of out-of-home care and point to the importance of continued exploration in this area.

Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare: Its Impact on Family Functioning

“…In fact, previous research on OBH has found it to negatively impact the youth -parent attachment, even though youth reported significant mental health improvements post OBH participation (Bettmann & Tucker, 2011). In Bettmann and Tucker's study (2011) OBH youth perceived their mothers and fathers to be significantly less sensitive and responsive to their emotional states and youth were less trusting by the end of treatment that parents would understand their needs and desires (Bettmann & Tucker, 2011). In our study, we did not compare transported and non-transported youth; however, this too may add to the level of disconnect youth may feel from their parents.…”

“…Given that length of treatment is not a predictor of FAD improvement per mothers' and fathers' reports, one possible explanation for this might be that a longer period of time apart from parents could leave youth feeling disconnected from their parent(s), particularly after going through such an intensive experience as an OBH program. In fact, previous research on OBH has found it to negatively impact the youth -parent attachment, even though youth reported significant mental health improvements post OBH participation (Bettmann & Tucker, 2011). In Bettmann and Tucker's study (2011) OBH youth perceived their mothers and fathers to be significantly less sensitive and responsive to their emotional states and youth were less trusting by the end of treatment that parents would understand their needs and desires (Bettmann & Tucker, 2011).…”

A Meta-analysis of Wilderness Therapy Outcomes for Private Pay Clients

“…Continuous trekking or expedition model uses continuous hiking, camping, and backpacking in groups on a wilderness route (Vissell 2004). This model is typically used in short term programs with maximum length of stay of 60 days (Bettmann and Tucker 2011). Short term residential WT programs are designed to last until the adolescent has made significant progress, but typically range from six to 12 weeks (Hagan 2002).…”

Descending from the Summit: Aftercare Planning for Adolescents in Wilderness Therapy

“…From Prochaska and DiClemente's (1983) writing, one can infer that wilderness therapy will be less effective in supporting growth in the later stages of change that are dependent upon time and proximity to triggering situations, such as unhealthy family dynamics, substances, or unsupportive peer environments. And while there is tremendous benefit to adolescents being separated from their parents during a wilderness therapy program (Bettmann and Tucker 2011;Harper and Russell 2008), families do not have the opportunity to practice new skills together daily. Taylor (2004) highlights the ethical importance of treating clients within the least-restrictive environment.…”

“…Taylor (2004) highlights the ethical importance of treating clients within the least-restrictive environment. Perhaps counterintuitive, many parents who choose to send their adolescent child to a residential therapeutic program, at times thousands of miles from home, are providing the least restrictive setting to support change and growth (Bettmann and Tucker 2011;Russell 2005). Parents often express believing that removing their child from the unhealthy environment was the only way to gain the clarity necessary to create change (Harper and Russell 2008).…”