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The Effectiveness of Outdoor Therapy with Military Veterans: Exploring Participant Perspectives

dc.contributor.authorNareg, Raina
dc.date.accessioned2023-07-19T16:41:52Z
dc.date.available2023-07-19T16:41:52Z
dc.date.issued2023-07-14
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10222/82706
dc.descriptionAt present, many of the response systems utilized by veterans for mental health supports implement evidence-based therapies to treat service-related mental health conditions. These services are often short-term and solution-focused, meant to rapidly address and treat mental health of veterans, without addressing mental health stigma, the cultural influence of the military, or considering a gender-based perspective when treating individuals. Many veterans voice disconnection and loneliness following their military release. Outdoor therapy has served to provide reconnection within the veteran community, enhanced social connection and support meaning and purpose by delivering therapy from an alternative approach. This study of Warrior Adventures Canada's (WAC) program has demonstrated that outdoor therapy is effective in treating mental health from a different angle to bridge the gap between conventional and mainstream mental health service delivery models. This is supported by the perspectives of WAC's previous participants, as demonstrated in the semi-structured interview method utilized in this qualitative study.en_US
dc.description.abstractABSTRACT Objective: This study explores an understudied area of outdoor therapy, an alternative therapeutic model for addressing mental health with military veterans. It includes the perspectives of outdoor therapy participants to inform the research findings. Method: A phenomenological approach inquired veteran perspectives of mental health recovery and outdoor therapy. A gender-based analysis uncovered themes regarding hypermasculinity within military culture. Interview questions explored experiences with Warrior Adventures Canada (WAC), the efficacy of outdoor therapy, and military culture. The study also evaluated responses to program evaluations completed by past WAC participants. Results: The findings indicate positive improvements to mental health and mental resiliency. These interviews highlight the cultural nuances and gendered differences within the military, which can influence mental health deterioration. Conclusion: Qualitative data suggests beneficial aspects for mental health recovery not typically found within mainstream trauma-focused approaches, relating to the comfort, safety and trust innately found in the program of WAC.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectoutdoor therapyen_US
dc.subjectwilderness therapyen_US
dc.subjectnature therapyen_US
dc.subjectsocial worken_US
dc.subjecttrauma interventionen_US
dc.subjecttrauma therapyen_US
dc.subjectmilitary mental healthen_US
dc.subjectveteran mental healthen_US
dc.subjectmental healthen_US
dc.subjectWarrior Adventures Canadaen_US
dc.subjectmental health therapyen_US
dc.subjectholistic mental healthen_US
dc.subjecttrauma-focused modelen_US
dc.subjecttrauma therapy modelen_US
dc.subjectmilitary social worken_US
dc.subjectnon-deliberative practiceen_US
dc.subjecthypermasculinityen_US
dc.subjectgender-based analysisen_US
dc.subjectmilitary cultureen_US
dc.subjectpeer-based modelen_US
dc.subjectveteransen_US
dc.subjectveteranen_US
dc.subjectmilitaryen_US
dc.subjectCanadian militaryen_US
dc.subjectCanadian Armed Forcesen_US
dc.subjectArmed Forcesen_US
dc.subjectmilitary personnelen_US
dc.subjectchain of commanden_US
dc.subjectcognitive behavioural therapyen_US
dc.subjectcognitive processing therapyen_US
dc.subjecteye movement desensitization reprocessingen_US
dc.subjectEMDRen_US
dc.subjectCBTen_US
dc.subjectPEen_US
dc.subjectprolonged exposure therapyen_US
dc.subjectCBTen_US
dc.subjecttrauma-informed practiceen_US
dc.subjecttrauma informed practiceen_US
dc.subjecttrauma informed careen_US
dc.subjecttrauma-informed careen_US
dc.subjecttrauma-informed therapyen_US
dc.subjecttrauma informed therapyen_US
dc.subjectspiritualityen_US
dc.subjectphysical healthen_US
dc.subjectmindfulnessen_US
dc.subjectmeditationen_US
dc.subjecthikingen_US
dc.subjectkayakingen_US
dc.subjectcampingen_US
dc.subjectcampfireen_US
dc.subjectwhite river raftingen_US
dc.subjectgroup therapyen_US
dc.subjectmental health professionalen_US
dc.subjectcharity programen_US
dc.subjectby donation programen_US
dc.subjectnonprofiten_US
dc.subjectnonprofit organizationen_US
dc.subjectCanadian mental healthen_US
dc.subjectdepartment of national defenceen_US
dc.subjectDNDen_US
dc.subjectmilitary mental health researchen_US
dc.subjectveteran mental health researchen_US
dc.subjectveteran suicidesen_US
dc.subjectveteran suicideen_US
dc.subjectsuicideen_US
dc.subjectmental resiliencyen_US
dc.subjectpost traumatic stress disorderen_US
dc.subjectpost-traumatic stress disorderen_US
dc.subjectPTSDen_US
dc.subjectgeneralized anxiety disorderen_US
dc.subjectGADen_US
dc.subjectoperational stress injuryen_US
dc.subjectoperational stress injuriesen_US
dc.subjectOSIen_US
dc.subjectroyal canadian mounted policeen_US
dc.subjectRCMPen_US
dc.subjectfirst respondersen_US
dc.subjectfirst responderen_US
dc.subjectoutward bounden_US
dc.subjectwounded warriorsen_US
dc.titleThe Effectiveness of Outdoor Therapy with Military Veterans: Exploring Participant Perspectivesen_US
dc.date.defence2023-07-07
dc.contributor.departmentFaculty of Healthen_US
dc.contributor.degreeMaster of Social Worken_US
dc.contributor.external-examinerDr. Deborah Norrisen_US
dc.contributor.graduate-coordinatorDr. Catherine Bryanen_US
dc.contributor.thesis-readerDr. Marjorie Johnstoneen_US
dc.contributor.thesis-supervisorDr. Nancy Rossen_US
dc.contributor.ethics-approvalReceiveden_US
dc.contributor.manuscriptsNot Applicableen_US
dc.contributor.copyright-releaseNot Applicableen_US
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