IMPACT OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ON THE SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND COMFORT LEVEL OF BLACK AND BROWN GIRLS

Author

Nathan BenhamFollow

Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Li, Yawen

Abstract

While there have been many studies that have focused on the effect of outdoor adventure and physical activity on self-confidence and self-esteem for adolescents (Bélanger et al., 2019; Dale et al., 2019; Lubans et al., 2012), there are few that focus solely on adolescent girls (Evans et al., 2020), and even less that focus exclusively on Black and Brown adolescent girls. This study aimed to expand the available data on how outdoor adventure and physical activity impacted self-confidence and self-esteem on Black and Brown adolescent girls. Recruiting participants from Atabey Outdoors, a non-profit outdoor program that specializes in providing outdoor adventure and physical activity for Black and Brown girls aged 8-12, this study utilized pre and post intervention surveys and focus groups to answer the question, “How does participation in Atabey Outdoors affect self-reported self-esteem, self-confidence, and comfort in the outdoors for Black and Brown girls aged 8-12?” Although the sample size was limited, evidence suggests that participation in Atabey Outdoors has a positive impact on an individual’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and comfort in the outdoors. While it is evident that outdoor adventure and physical activity have beneficial impacts on an individual, more studies are needed to address the racial disparities in the current data available.

Recommended Citation

Benham, Nathan, "IMPACT OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ON THE SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND COMFORT LEVEL OF BLACK AND BROWN GIRLS" (2023). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1673.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1673