Exploring the Potential for Wilderness Therapy as an Intervention Method with At-Risk Youth in South Africa

Masters, Emily

Exploring the Potential for Wilderness Therapy as an Intervention Method with At-Risk Youth in South Africa

Master Thesis

2022

Abstract

This study explored the potential for Wilderness Therapy, a recognized intervention involving outdoor living, adventure activities and individualized therapeutic components, as an intervention method with at-risk youth in South Africa. Although there are several youth targeting programmes in South Africa that incorporate outdoor living and adventure activities, it is unclear how these programmes are integrating evidence-based Wilderness Therapy. This study investigated current wilderness programmes being used to intervene with South African youth and the therapeutic components these programmes incorporate. The study considered understandings of Wilderness Therapy held by those working in South African wilderness programmes and examined the context-specific opportunities and obstacles they experienced. This qualitative study utilized one-on-one remote interviews using Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp call and telephonic communication. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling was used to select 18 research respondents who worked within South African wilderness-based programmes targeting at-risk youth. The respondents had to have been involved in at least two of these programmes and spent multiple nights with the youth, in an outdoor setting. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Tesch's (1990) method of qualitative data analysis was then used to analyse the data. The findings of this study revealed that wilderness programmes in South Africa utilize similar activities, environments, approaches and methods to those used in the internationally recognised method of Wilderness Therapy. The therapeutic aspects considered essential within Wilderness Therapy were not found to be incorporated in South African programmes, however they did include indigenous South African teaching methods such as storytelling, peer feedback and inter-generational mentoring within a group setting. The findings of this study revealed that those working within South African wilderness programmes had little awareness of similar methods proven successful in other countries, such as Wilderness Therapy, and that they felt that wilderness-based programmes were not well understood or appreciated by key role players. Limited reliable financial support, logistical challenges, a lack of evidence-based research and high numbers of youth needing intervention, were revealed to be significant challenges for those working in South African wilderness programmes. The study revealed that collaborations between organizations, schools and government were a particular strength of South African wilderness programmes, according to those that work within them. The main recommendations, that arose from the study, for staff implementing youth-targeting wilderness programmes in South Africa are to grow their knowledge of South African teaching methods and Wilderness Therapy to enrich their programmes. Management of wilderness programmes are recommended to increase NGO collaborations, use social media to improve public awareness and incorporate an educational and employment focus within their programmes. Increased collaboration between existing programmes is recommended to establish standardized staff training and practices. It is suggested that Social Workers provide family and reintegration services to youth attending wilderness programmes as well as increase their involvement within these programmes. The Department of Social Development is recommended to provide financial support and facilitating NGO collaborations for wilderness programmes. It is recommended that future researchers conduct a variety of different type of research on South African wilderness programmes.

Keywords

Social Work

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