Current Research

2003-2008 In 2003, the publication entitled "Assessing treatment outcomes in outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH) using the Youth Outcome Questionnaire," published in the journal Child and Youth Care Forum, reported outcomes immediately following and 12-months post-treatment for a sample of OBH clients. In 2005, the publication entitled "Two years later: A qualitative assessment of youth-well-being and the role of aftercare in outdoor behavioral healthcare treatment" also published in the journal Child and Youth Care Forum, followed that same sample of clients and asked qualitative follow-up questions about their current well-being and post-treatment experience. In 2008, Harper and Russell published "Family involvement and outcome in adolescent wilderness treatment: A mixed methods evaluation" in the International Journal of Child and Family Welfare, and added to this body of research exploring the role of the family in the treatment and maintenance of outcomes during and after an OBH experience. Results showed that in general, clients maintained behavioural improvements through 5 year follow up, and though some had continued to use drugs and alcohol post-treatment, clients and their families no longer considered this use to be problematic. Current Research In the fall of 2010, UNH formed a research consortium of graduate students and faculty to work in partnership with OBHRC. The consortium is currently working to investigate outcomes of participation in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare programs associated with specific predictors. Present studies are looking at client outcomes associated with principle diagnoses of ADHD, Depression, and Substance Abuse. In addition, the research consortium investigating the effect of program length on client outcomes as well and exploring treatment fidelity in OBH programming.

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Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Cooperative (OBHRC)

Providing Research and Evaluation for Wilderness & Adventure Therapy Programs since 1999.