Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Increases in global and domain specific self-esteem following a 10 day developmental voyage

  • Published:
Social Psychology of Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although positive effects are often reported, research assessing the impact of Adventure Education and Outward Bound programmes on self-esteem is fraught with methodological weaknesses pertaining to an emphasis on scales assessing global self-esteem, a lack of follow-up measures to assess the potential long-term benefits of such programmes and inadequate pre-intervention measures. In a far less researched area of structured outdoor programmes, research using the sea and sailing ships as a medium, have suffered from the same weaknesses as many of their land-based counterparts. The current study sought to improve and extend on previous research in this broad area. In doing this global and multiple dimensions of self-esteem were assessed 3 weeks prior to a 10 day Spirit of New Zealand developmental voyage, on the first day of the voyage, the last day of the voyage, and finally, 3 months following the voyage. Two hypotheses were subsequently tested. The first stated that participants would experience increases in global and domain specific self-esteem following the voyage. The second stated that increases in global and specific domains of self-esteem would have a long-term effect (i.e. they will be in evidence 3 months following the last day of the voyage). Support was found for both hypotheses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aberson C.L., Healy M., Romero V. (2000) Ingroup bias and self-esteem: A meta-analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review 4: 157–173. doi:10.1207/S15327957PSPR0402_04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister R.F., Smart L., Boden J.M. (1996) Relation of threatened egotism to violence and aggression: The dark side of high self-esteem. Psychological Review 103: 5–33. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.103.1.5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Branden N. (1994) The six pillars of self-esteem. Bantam, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Breakwell G.M. (1987) Identity. In: Beloff H., Coleman A.M. (eds) Psychology survey 7. Leicester, British Psychological Society, pp 94–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown J.D. (1998) The self. McGraw-Hill, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns R.B. (1979) The self-concept in theory, measurement, development and behaviour. Longman, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne B. (1988a) Measuring adolescent self-concept: Factorial validity and equivalency of the SDQ III across gender. Multivariate Behavioral Research 23: 361–375. doi:10.1207/s15327906mbr2303_5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne B. (1988b) The Self Description Questionnaire III: Testing for equivalent factorial validity across ability. Educational and Psychological Measurement 48: 397–406. doi:10.1177/0013164488482012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne B.M. (1996) Measuring self-concept across the lifespan: Issues and instrumentation. American Psychological Association, Washington

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cason D., Gillis H.L. (1994) A meta-analysis of outdoor adventure programming with adolescents. Journal of Experiential Education 17: 40–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Crane D., Hattie J., Houghton S. (1997) Goal setting and the adventure experience. Australian Journal of Psychology 49: 6–13. doi:10.1080/00049539708259844

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crocker J., Wolf C. (2001) Contingencies of self-worth. Psychological Review 108: 593–623. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.108.3.593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dennison S. (2000) A win-win peermentoring tutoring program: A colaborative model. The Journal of Primary Prevention 20: 161–174. doi:10.1023/A:1021385817106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emler N. (2001) Self-esteem: The causes and consequences of low self-esteem. York, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewart A. (1983) Outdoor adventure and self-concept: A research analysis. University of Oregon, Centre of Leisure Studies, Eugene

    Google Scholar 

  • Faria L. (1996) Marsh’s Self Description Questionnaire III (SDQ III): Adaptation study with Portuguese college students. Social Behavior and Personality 24: 343–350. doi:10.2224/sbp.1996.24.4.343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg J., Solomon S., Pyszczynski T. (1997) Terror management theory of self-esteem and cultural worldviews: Empirical assessments and conceptual refinements. In: Zanna M.P. (eds) Advances in experimental social psychology Vol. 29. Academic Press, London, pp 61–139

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwald A.G., Bellezza F.S., Banaji M.R. (1988) Is self-esteem the central ingredient of the self-concept?. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 14: 34–45. doi:10.1177/0146167288141004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grocott, A. C. (2000). Sailing and self-esteem. Unpublished Masters Thesis, Department of Psychology, University of Otago. Dunedin, New Zealand.

  • Harter S. (1993) Causes and consequences of low self-esteem in children and adolescents. In: Baumeister R.F. (eds) Self-esteem: The puzzle of low self-regard. Plenum Press, New York, pp 87–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Hattie J., Marsh H.W., Neill J.T., Richards G.E. (1997) Adventure Education and Outward Bound: Out-of-class experiences that make a lasting difference. Review of Educational Research 67: 43–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Heine S.J., Lehman D.R., Markus H.R., Kitiyama S. (1999) Is there a universal need for positive self-regard?. Psychological Review 106: 766–795. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.106.4.766

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howell D.C. (1987) Statistics for psychology, 2nd ed. PWS- Kent, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J. A., Boyes, M., Maunsell, S., & O’Hare, D. (2002). Sail training in the international arena: The value of sail training to young people today. Final Report for Phase One of a Project Commissioned by the International Sail Training Association (ISTA). Dunedin: University of Otago.

  • Hunter J.A., Kypri K., Boyes M., Stokell N.M., O’Brien K.S., McMenamin K. (2004) Social identity, self-evaluation and ingroup bias: The relative importance of particular domains of self-esteem to the ingroup. The British Journal of Social Psychology 43: 59–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter J.A., Platow M.J., Bell L.M., Kypri K., Lewis C.A. (1997) Intergroup bias and self-evaluation: Domain specific self-esteem, threats to identity and dimensional importance. The British Journal of Social Psychology 36: 405–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter J.A., Platow M.J., Howard M.L., Stringer M. (1996). Social identity and intergroup evaluative bias: Realistic categories and domain specific self-esteem in a conflict setting. European Journal of Social Psychology, 26, 631, 647

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurry J., McGurk H. (1997) An evaluation of a primary prevention programme for schools. Addiction Research 5: 23–38. doi:10.3109/16066359709005579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kernis M.H., Gannemann B.D., Barclay L.C. (1989) Stability and level of self-esteem as predictors of anger arousal and hostility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 56: 1013–1022. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.56.6.1013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leary M.R., Downs D.L. (1995) Interpersonal functions of the self-esteem motive: The self-esteem sysem as a sociometer. In: Kernis M.H. (eds) Efficacy, agency and self-esteem. Plenum, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynam D.R., Milich R., Zimmerman R., Novak S.P., Logan T.K., Martin C. et al (2000) Project DARE: No effects at 10 year follow up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 67: 590–593. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.67.4.590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W. (1987a) The factorial invariance of responses by males and females to a multidimensional self-concept instrument: Substantive and methodological issues. Multivariate Behavioral Research 22: 457–480. doi:10.1207/s15327906mbr2204_5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W. (1987) The hierarchical structure of self-concept and the application of hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Educational Measurement 24: 17–39. doi:10.1111/j.1745-3984.1987.tb00259.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W. (1993) Academic self-concept: Theory and measurement research. In: Suls J. (eds) Psychological perspectives on the self Vol 4. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, pp 59–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W., O’Neill R. (1984) Self Description Questionnaire III: The construct validity of multidimensional self-concept ratings by late adolescents. Journal of Educational Measurement 21: 153–174. doi:10.1111/j.1745–3984.1984.tb00227.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W., Richards G.E. (1988) The Outward Bound Bridging course for low achieving high school males: Effect on academic achievement and multidimensional self-concepts. Australian Journal of Psychology 40: 281–298. doi:10.1080/00049538808260049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W., Relich J.D., Smith I.D. (1983) Self-concept: The construct validity of interpretations based upon the SDQ. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 45: 173–187. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.45.1.173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W., Richards G.E., Barnes J. (1986a) Multidimensional self-concepts: The effect of participation in an Outward Bound program. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 50: 195–204. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.50.1.195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh H.W., Richards G.E., Barnes J. (1986b) Multidimensional self-concepts: A long term followup of the effect of participation in an Outward Bound program. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 12: 475–492. doi:10.1177/0146167286124011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mecca A.M., Smelser N.J., Vasconcellos J. (1989) The social importance of self-esteem. University of California Press, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell H.A., Mitchell M.J. (1989) A study of self-concept over a two year period: Possible effects of an intervening Outward Bound course. Nelson, Mitchell Research

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore T., Russell K.C. (2002) Studies of the use of wilderness for personal growth, therapy education and leadership development: An annotation and evaluation. University of Idaho, Wilderness Research Centre, Moscow

    Google Scholar 

  • Neill J.T., Richards G.E. (1994) A research evaluation of the developmental outcomes of Young Endeavour’s ten day sail training voyages during 1993. Australian Outward Bound Foundation, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris R.M., Weinman J.A. (1996) Psychological change following a long sail training voyage. Personality and Individual Differences 21: 189–194. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(96)00069-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pettigrew T.F. (1998) Intergroup contact theory. Annual Review of Psychology 49: 65–85. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.49.1.65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purdie N., Neill J.T., Richards G.E. (2002) Australian identity and the effect of an outdoor program. Australian Journal of Psychology 54: 32–39. doi:10.1080/00049530210001706493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers C.R. (1961) On becoming a person. Houghton Mifflin, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg M. (1965) Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg M., Schooler C., Schoenbach C., Rosenberg F. (1995) Global self-esteem and specific self-esteem: Different concepts, different outcomes. American Sociological Review 60: 141–156. doi:10.2307/2096350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sedikides C., Gartner L., Toguchi Y. (2003) Pancultural self-enhancement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 81: 60–79. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.1.60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman M.E.P., Reivich K., Jaycox L., Gillham J. (1995) The optimistic child. Houghton-Mifflin, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Shavelson R.J., Hubner J.J., Stanton G.C. (1976) Self-concept: Validation of construct interpretations. Review of Educational Research 46: 407–441

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon S., Greenberg J., Pyszczynski T. (1991) A terror management theory of social behaviour: The psychological functions of self-esteem and cultural world views. In: Berkowitz L. (eds) Advances in experimental social psychology Vol. 24. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Staub E. (1989) The roots of evil: The origins of genocide and other group violence. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel H., Turner J.C. (1979) An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In: Austin W.G., Worchel S. (eds) The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Monterey, Brooks/Cole

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner J.C. (1999) Some current issues in research on social identity and self-categorization theories. In: Ellemers N., Spears R., Doojse B. (eds) Social identity: Context, commitment, content. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesser A. (1988) Toward a self-evaluation maintenance model of social behavior. In: Berkowitz L. (eds) Advances in experimental social psychology Vol. 21. Academic Press, New York, pp 181–227

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wylie R.C. (1979) The self-concept. (Vol. 2). University of Nebraska, Lincoln

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Andrew C. Grocott & John A. Hunter

Authors
  1. Andrew C. Grocott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John A. Hunter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John A. Hunter.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Grocott, A.C., Hunter, J.A. Increases in global and domain specific self-esteem following a 10 day developmental voyage. Soc Psychol Educ 12, 443–459 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-008-9088-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-008-9088-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation