A long-term camp therapy program for children and students with developmental difficulties

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K21337
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Developmental mechanisms and the body works; Clinical psychology
• Research Institution: Niigata University of Health and Welfare (2017-2020); Surugadai University (2015-2016)
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimatsu Azusa 新潟医療福祉大学, 健康科学部, 講師 (90508855)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 自然体験療法 / キャンプ / ボディイメージ / 身体感覚 / 身体的自己概念 / 身体性 / 野外教育

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to implement a long-term camp therapy program for children and students with developmental difficulties and examine both its effects and the therapeutic implications for body image. First, for Study 1, three scales were developed to measure the effect on body image perception, physical self-concept, and social physique anxiety. Next, the effect of camp was assessed in Study 2, revealing a significant effect on body image perception and physical self-concept. Finally, the process and factors involved in body image were explored in Study 3, which found a series of processes for perception of and confidence in body, as well as suggesting factors such as acceptance among staff and peers.

Free Research Field

野外教育学　臨床心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

発達に困難を抱える児童・生徒は、身体感覚などの問題と共に自尊心の低下や孤立などの二次的な心理社会的問題が指摘されている。本研究によって、自然体験プログラムによって主観的な身体感覚および身体的自己概念に効果が認められたことは、児童・生徒が抱える諸問題へのアプローチの一つとしての自然体験療法の有効性を示すものであると考える。また、質的研究により、変化のプロセスと要因が明らかになった。このことは、現場で実際に発達に困難を抱える児童・生徒を支援する際に応用可能な実践知となると考える。