Adventure Education as a Pathway to Wellbeing: Rethinking Adventure through the Lens of PERMA

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Adventure Education as a Pathway to Wellbeing: Rethinking Adventure through the Lens of PERMA
Language: English
Authors: Benjamin C. Ingman (ORCID 0000-0003-0830-8926)
Source: Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. 2025 25(1):152-165.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Well Being, Positive Attitudes, Adventure Education, Outdoor Education, Cognitive Psychology, Children, Adolescents, Participation, Interpersonal Relationship, Success, Psychological Patterns
DOI: 10.1080/14729679.2024.2377164
ISSN: 1472-9679
1754-0402
Abstract: Adventure education (AE) has long been celebrated for its unique contributions to learning and personal growth. But the benefits of the AE experience may be broader than these outcomes and we are best positioned to uncover these benefits through employing new lenses in our analysis of AE. A qualitative study of the AE experience was completed at three sites: a backpacking expedition, a challenge course, and a multi-activity adventure programme. Data collection efforts resulted in 183 hours of observation and 74 interviews with 41 participants. This data was analyzed through the lens of PERMA, a framework for wellbeing from the field of positive psychology. Findings illustrate the character of the AE experience across the five dimensions of PERMA: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. These findings position AE as a pathway for the pursuit of wellbeing. The significance of this conception of AE is also discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1467567
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Adventure education (AE) has long been celebrated for its unique contributions to learning and personal growth. But the benefits of the AE experience may be broader than these outcomes and we are best positioned to uncover these benefits through employing new lenses in our analysis of AE. A qualitative study of the AE experience was completed at three sites: a backpacking expedition, a challenge course, and a multi-activity adventure programme. Data collection efforts resulted in 183 hours of observation and 74 interviews with 41 participants. This data was analyzed through the lens of PERMA, a framework for wellbeing from the field of positive psychology. Findings illustrate the character of the AE experience across the five dimensions of PERMA: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. These findings position AE as a pathway for the pursuit of wellbeing. The significance of this conception of AE is also discussed.
ISSN:1472-9679
1754-0402
DOI:10.1080/14729679.2024.2377164