PSYCHOSOCIAL CHANGES OF ADOLESCENTS AFTER CAMPING

BY

LUI WAI FAN

13002570

AN HONOURS PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF

THE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF ARTS

IN

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT (HONOURS)

HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

APRIL 2015

HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

24TH APRIL, 2015

We hereby recommend that the Honours Project by Miss Lui Wai Fan entitled

“Psychosocial Changes of Adolescents after camping” be accepted in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Physical

Education and Recreation Management.

______________________________ _______________________________

Prof. Chung Pak Kwong Prof. Kim Seungmo

Chief Adviser Second Reader

DECLARAION

I hereby declare that this honors project “Psychosocial Changes of Adolescents

after camping” represents my own work and had not been previously submitted to this

or other institution for a degree, diploma or other qualification. Citations from the

other authors were listed in the references.

_____________________________

Lui Wai Fan

24th

APRIL, 2015

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my greatest gratitude to my chief adviser, Prof. Chung Pak

Kwong, for his support, professional advice and guidance throughout the entire study.

Also, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Kim Seungmo to be my

second reader to review this study. Special thanks to Mr Kilo Wong from Hong Kong

Baptist University for helping to find campsites for the data collection.

Besides, I would like to express my appreciation to Hong Kong Federation of Youth

Groups Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp, Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club

Tai Tong Holiday Camp, and Hong Kong PHAB Association Pokfulam PHAB Camp

in Hong Kong. Their assistances helped a lot in the data collection.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the subjects’ participation in the study.

_____________________________

Lui Wai Fan

Department of Physical Education

Hong Kong Baptist University

24th APRIL, 2015

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study are to identify psychosocial changes of the adolescents after

camping. Also, it serves to determine the interactions between gender and age groups.

Moreover, it attempted to examine the difference in psychosocial changes between

gender, as well as age groups of the adolescents. A total of 528 campers are selected

from three camps. Self-Determination and Peer Relationship scales are used to

measure the Psychosocial Changes. And questionnaires from America Camp

Association were used to collect the data. The result indicated that campers received

psychosocial changes after camping (M=78.72, SD=14.66). Besides, there were

interactions between gender and age in psychosocial changes of adolescents after

camping (F= 6.122, P=.014). The response level of same gender to the psychosocial

changes was different with different age groups. The older the male campers, the

stronger response level to the psychosocial changes than the younger campers.

However, the older the female campers, the lower response level to the psychosocial

changes than the younger female campers. Moreover, the response level of same age

groups to the psychosocial changes was different with different genders. Within age

group of 12-14, male campers have lower response level to the psychosocial changes

than female campers. However, within age group of 15-18, male campers have

stronger response level to the psychosocial changes than female campers. In addition,

there was no significant mean difference (F=.003, P=.959) between males and

females in psychosocial changes. Lastly, there was no significant mean difference

(F=.853, P=.356) between age group of 12-14 and age group of 15-18 in psychosocial

changes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER Page

1. INTRODUCTION 1-2

Statement of the Problem 3

Definition of Terms 3

Delimitations 4

Limitations 4

Assumptions 5

Hypotheses 5

Significance of the Study 6

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 7

Psychosocial Development – Erikson’s Identity Versus Role Confusion 7-8

Theory of Changes 8

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 9-10

Measuring Scales of Psychosocial Changes 10-12

Gender Difference in Psychosocial Changes 12-13

Age Difference in Psychosocial Changes 13

Summary 13-14

3. METHOD Page

Sample of Selection 14-15

Measuring Instrument 15

Collection of Data 16

Data Analysis 16

4. ANALYSIS OF DATA 17

Demographic Characteristics 17

Demographic Characteristics 17-18

Descriptive Statistics of Psychosocial Changes 18-19

Interactions between gender and age in psychosocial changes 19-22

Difference in psychosocial changes between males and females 22

Difference in psychosocial changes between age group of 12-14 23

and age group of 15-18

Discussion 23-27

Participants received psychosocial changes after camping 23-24

Interactions between gender and age in psychosocial changes 24-26

Psychosocial changes between genders 26

Psychosocial changes between age groups 26-27

5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 27

Summary 27-29

Conclusion 29-30

Recommendation 30-31

REFERENCE 32-35

APPENDIX 36-3

1

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever imaging the power of camping? Camping is a powerful growth

experience for adolescents. Camp has long been viewed as an ideal environment for

learning and self-exploration. Coleman (2014) indicated that camp was a unique

educational institution which is a “classroom without walls” It encompasses multi

benefits especially psychosocial improvement that adolescents receive during and

after the camp experience. Thus, camp is not only a place only with programs and

facilities. According to Garst, Browne and Bialeschki (2011), camp is more than a

location or a program.

Nowadays, Hong Kong adolescents were spoiled by parents. They lack

independence to encounter the challenges. Moreover, regard to the Youth in Hong

Kong – A statistical Profile 2010, about a quarter of youth claimed that due to the bad

relationship with classmates or friends, they had often felt lonely. This shows that they

are vulnerable in social skills. It is essential to make an improvement in self-identity

and social skills of adolescents. In reviewing the previous studies, camp experiences

contribute positive changes in psychosocial aspect to adolescents. According to

2

America Camp Association (ACA) (2005), adolescents increase positive identity:

Self-esteem as well as social skills: peer relationships, after participating in camp.

Hence, camp experiences benefit adolescents to feel good about themselves, to

become more confident, to make friends, to grow more independent and show more

leadership qualities. (Nagele, Bourdeau, & Olszewski Arnold, 2005). Undoubtedly, as

positive changes are contributed to adolescents after participating in camp, it helps to

reduce the inappropriate behaviors and criminal cases of adolescents. Therefore,

camps enrich the lives of children that will help to build a better tomorrow. (Wallace,

2013).

Additional to, some researchers examined the camp experience psychosocial

outcome and some influenced variables such as gender, age. The research finding

suggested that difference gender have different psychosocial changes. (Hedrick,

Homan, & Dick, 2009). On the other hand, another research suggested that there is no

significance result showing that different gender influence the psychosocial changes.

(Thurber, Scanlin, Scheuler,& Henderson, 2007). Besides, a research suggested that

different age have different psychosocial changes. (Hedrick, Homan, & Dick, 2009).

Similarly, Thurber, Scanlin, Scheuler and Henderson, (2007), also agree with this

point. Study these influenced variables help to understand how powerful of camp

3

experience to the psychosocial changes of adolescents in different gender and age.

Statement of the Problem

This study is aimed to identify the psychosocial changes of adolescents after

participating in camp. The study would also examine the differences between gender

as well as age groups of the Adolescents on the Psychosocial Changes.

Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined as:

Adolescence

According to the World Health Organization (WHO 2015), adolescence is

defined as young people between the age of 10 to 19 years old.

Psychosocial Changes

According to Ciccarelli and White (2014), Psychosocial Changes is “the changes

of personality and social relationships which primarily concerns the search for a

consistent sense of self or personal identity.” (p. 282)

Camping

Camping (2013) defined camping as follow:

Camping recreational activity in which participants take up temporary residence

in the outdoors, usually using tentsor specially designed or adapted vehicles for

4

shelter. Camping was at one time only a rough, back-to-nature pastime for hardy

open-air lovers, but it later became the standard holiday for vast numbers of

ordinary families.

Delimitations

The following delimitations were established for this study:

1. The selected samples were delimited to adolescents who has participated in Hong

Kong Federation of Youth Groups Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training

Camp, Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, and Hong Kong

PHAB Association Pokfulam PHAB Camp.

2. The age range of the adolescents was 12-18; they were Form 1 to Form 6

students of secondary schools.

3. Self-Determination and Peer Relationship scales are used to measure the

Psychosocial Changes.

Limitations

The following limitations should be considered when interpreting the results:

1. The language of Questionnaire was translated from English to Chinese to suit the

English level of campers who are secondary students. Thus, the original meaning

5

of the questions might be inaccurate.

2. The previous experiences that similar to camping might influence the campers’

perception towards camp experiences.

3. This research did not include the follow-up session to investigate the stability

and sustainability of the result.

4. Questionnaires were carried out immediately at the end of the camping. The

atmosphere might influence the result.

Assumptions

The following assumptions were made:

1. The different camps which were selected to distribute questionnaires provided

similar camp programs to the participants.

2. The subjects in different camps have received similar camping experiences.

Hypotheses

The hypotheses of this study were as follow:

1. The participants would receive psychosocial changes after camping.

2. There would be a significant interaction between gender and age groups in

psychosocial changes.

6

3. There would be a significant mean difference in psychosocial changes between

male campers and female campers.

4. There would be a significant mean difference in psychosocial changes between

age group of 12-14 and age group of 15-18.

Significance of the Study

There are psychosocial problems among adolescents in Hong Kong. They have

the problem of abusing psychotropic substances. There was increasing flow from

1999 to 2009. In 2009, 3359 adolescents age under21 abuse substances. Moreover,

35.2% and 18.8% of Secondary 1- 3 students and Secondary 4- 5 students

respectively could be identified as highly at risk of Internet addiction. Besides,

research indicated that the rate of bulling trends among adolescents in Hong Kong has

increased. And the reasons for these problems occurred are adolescents with low

self-esteem, they are lonely; often rejected by peers and always overprotected by

parents. (Shek, Keung, & Sun, 2011). One of the purposes of the study is to determine

the psychosocial changes of adolescents after participating in camp. Once the

psychosocial changes of adolescents is significant after participating to camp, the

psychosocial quality and skills can be enhanced and the problem can be released.

Besides, the other purpose of the research is to analyze the difference between gender

7

difference, as well as age difference in psychosocial changes in Adolescents. The

result helps camp organizations to adjust the program structures more

comprehensively to suit the campers. The most significant is it helps to motivate

parents to encourage their children to participate in camp to release the psychosocial

problems of adolescents in Hong Kong.

Chapter 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The review of literature was divided in to six sections. The sections were: (1)

Psychosocial Development – Erikson’s Identity Versus Role Confusion. (2) Theory of

Changes (3) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (4) Measuring Scales of Psychosocial

Changes, (5) Gender Difference in Psychosocial Changes, (6) Age Difference in

Psychosocial Changes and (7) Summary.

Psychosocial Development – Erikson’s Identity Versus Role Confusion

The Psychosocial Changes is indicated that “the changes of personality and social

relationships in adolescence primarily concerns the search for the consistent sense of

self or personal identity” (Ciccarelli and White, 2014, p282). According to Erikson’s

psychosocial adolescent stages, adolescents encounter confusion of identifying who or

8

what they want to be in terms of beliefs, attitudes, behavior patterns and occupation.

(Erikson, cited by Ciccarelli and White, 2014). He believed that teenagers who are

able to resist peer pressure to participate in unhealthy or illegal activities and figure

out their own identity during the adolescent years have a large extend to resolve the

conflicts of the earlier four stages which are infant toddler, preschool age and

elementary school age. On the contrary, adolescents are not successfully go through

the 4 stages will result in a lack of trust in others, low self-esteem, feeling guilty and

shame. Besides, peer pressure is such a great push force to teenagers who desperately

want to fit in the group and show they meet the expectations and demand of the group.

Moreover, adolescents are confused if the roles they play are really their own identity

and even have conflict with their parents. Many researchers believe that a certain

amount of rebellion and conflict is an essential. Coleman (2014) indicated that camp

was a unique educational institution where encompasses multi benefits especially

psychosocial improvement that adolescents receive camping experience.

Theory of Change

A behavior changes of a person can be made by learning. According to Ciccarelli

and White (2014), learning refers to “any relatively permanent changes in behavior

brought about by experience or practice.” (p.142). There are two best kwon behavior

9

changes theories. The first one is Behavior Modification which to apply operant

conditioning principles and techniques like reinforcement and the process of shaping

to achieve desirable responses and to changes undesirable behavior. The other one is

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) which uses functional analysis and behavior

techniques such as breaking down the skills into the simplest steps with a system of

reinforcement and prompts are given as needed to form a desired behavior or response.

According to Garst, Browne and Bialeschki (2011), the camping learning experience

for adolescents is a way to explore and make changes that search for an authenticity

often missing in other parts of their lives that contributes to their healthy transition

into adulthood.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

According to Maslow, the theory of hierarchy of needs include both deficiency

needs and growth needs. Human must fulfill the basic needs before achieving the

highest level which are rank in a sequence from lower level to the higher level. The

lower level include food and water, followed by safety needs which is to feel secure

and safe, out of danger, it comes to the need of belongingness and love needs (i.e.

needs for friends, to be accepted by others). Then, the need of self-esteem becomes

the next (i.e. the need to be competent, gain approval and recognition). Lastly, when

10

all the basic needs had been strove, human would pursue the self-actualization need

(i.e. to find self-fulfillment and the highest need of developing one’s potential). This

theory of needs explains different levels of human needs are motivation factor that

facilitate moral and behavioral changes to achieve the needs. According to ACA

(2005), after camping experience, adolescents have positive changes in Self-

Determination and Peer Relationship.

Measure Scales of Psychosocial Changes

From the previous literature, the main measure scales of psychosocial changes

are Self-Determination and Peer Relationship.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) refers to “endorse one’s actions at the highest

level of reflection. When self-determined, people experience a sense of freedom to do

what is interesting, personally important, and vitalizing” (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000,

cited by Ciccarelli & White, 2014). They suggest that SDT is a psychological process

which occurs within the social context influence reasons or motivations to behave.

There are three basic psychological needs which are autonomy, competence and

relatedness that contribute to complete sense of self and whole, healthy relationships

11

with others. Autonomy refers to the need of one have choice to control their own

behavior and goals. Competence refers to the need of one feel capable of mastering

the challenging tasks of their life. And relatedness need is the sense of belonging and

connectedness with significant people which similar to Maslow’s belongingness and

love needs (Deci & Ryan, 2000, cited by Ciccarelli & White, 2014).

Moreover, Ryan, Deci and their colleagues (Deci et al., 1994; Ryan & Dei, 2000,

cited by Ciccarelli& White, 2014) believe that fulfill these needs can best be

accomplished when the person in a supportive context where to develop goals and

relationships with others. According to ACA (2005), the national study of the

outcomes of camp experiences in US showed that kids become more adventurous at

camp and camp is a place to enable them to try new things that they liked to do. Also,

about 75 percent of campers reported that they learnt something new at camp.

Peer Relationship

Moreover, for peer relationship measure scale, “peer relationship should

emphasize an inclusive youth environment for young people” (Roth and Brooks-Gunn,

2003, cited by Henderson, 2012). Moreover, “a multiple supportive relationships with

peers must be had by adolescents. And relationships are the basis for emotional

12

support, guidance, and instrumental help. Also, adolescents need to have others

depend on them for informal and formal roles or support and leadership” (Gambone et

al., 1997; 2002, cited by Henderson, 2012). According to ACA (2005), 93% of

campers said that camp helped them get to know more kids who were different from

them. Similarly, Researcher studied Oregon residential 4-H campers and found that

camp helped adolescents to meet more new people and cooperate with them. (Arnold

et al., 2005, cited by Henderson, 2012)

Gender Difference in Psychosocial Changes

Thurber, Scanlin, Scheuler, and Henderson (2007) selected campers who are age

8 to 14 and from ACA accredited camp to participate. 36% of sample was boys; 64%

were girls at the pre camp survey. The percentage of boys and girls shifted to 32% and

68% in post camp. It suggested that there is no significance result showing different

gender influence the psychosocial changes. On the other hand, Hedrick, Homan, and

Dick (2009) indicated that gender different significantly influence the psychosocial

changes. From the research, there was a significant difference in the development of

independent skills between males and females. Besides, Female campers’ parents

reported that their children developed higher levels of independent skills than did the

parents of male campers. Henderson (2012) further explained that female campers

13

were more likely to learn cooperate with others than male campers.

Age Difference in Psychosocial Changes

Both Thurber, Scanlin, Scheuler, and Henderson (2007) and Hedrick, Homan,

and Dick (2009) indicated that different age campers have different psychosocial

changes after camping. Thurber, Scanlin, Scheuler, and Henderson (2007) said that

older campers have slightly more changes than younger campers. Hedrick, Homan,

and Dick (2009) further pointed out that different age groups of campers have

significant different in specific psychosocial changes. The research divided campers

into three age groups: 8-10, 11-12 and 13-15. It concluded that campers in 13-15

years old had a higher degree of improvement in leadership skills than the other two

age groups and 8-10 years old campers had the least improvement.

Summary

From the review of literature, camp contributes psychosocial benefits for

adolescents who participating in it. Nowadays, the psychological quality and social

skills of adolescents in Hong Kong declined and criminal cases related to adolescents

increased. It is time to alleviate this risky situation among adolescents. It can be seen

that there are variables which are gender difference and age difference influence the

14

psychosocial changes of adolescents after camping experience.

Chapter 3

METHOD

The method of the study was presented in the following four sections: (1)

Sample selection, (2) Measuring Instrument, (3) Collection of data and (4) Statistical

Analysis.

Sample of Selection

The subjects selected for this study were from three camps which are Hong Kong

Federation of Youth Groups Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp, Po Leung

Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, and Hong Kong PHAB Association

Pokfulam PHAB Camp. These three camps were selected. The reason for selecting

these three camps were about they offer similar programs and camping activities.

The purposes of the project were explained, and the participants were reminded to

participate voluntarily and withdraw anytime without penalty. Total 528 campers 332

males and 196 females were selected among these three camps.

15

Measuring Instrument

The questionnaire which is from American Camp Association: Youth Outcomes

Battery (2011) consisted of three main parts. Part A was the acknowledgement of

voluntarily completing of questionnaire. Part B was the modified questions about

Friendship-Skills-Scale and Perceived-Competence-Scale Youth Outcomes Battery

developed by American Camp Association (ACA, 2011). Part C was the demographic

questions and questions about participating to camp.

In part B, a set of 22 items is required to complete by the subjects. These questions

were developed based on 2 subscales which are friendship skill and self-determination.

Response items were 5-likert scale which are “Decreased”, “Did not increase or

decrease”, “Increased a little bit, maybe”, “Increased some, I am sure” and “Increased

a lot, I am sure”. The questions would be mixed and listed randomly, and the type of

subscale would not be showed in the questionnaire for the respondents.

In Part C was the demographic questions about respondent’s gender, age, study level,

organization of the camp activities and the how long they stayed at camp.

Collection of Data

528 campers were selected from three camps, including Hong Kong Federation

of Youth Groups Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp, Po Leung Kuk

16

Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, and Hong Kong PHAB Association Pokfulam

PHAB Camp. A camper had to fill in questionnaire at the end of camp. They were

asked to fill in the questionnaire about their camp experiment in psychosocial changes.

Before they fill in the questionnaire, an explanation of the purposes of the study and

the questionnaire were conducted. Besides, questionnaires were distributed and

collected by researcher directly. And researcher distributed the questionnaires on 19th

,

20th

, 21st, 22

ndof December, 2014and collected questionnaires on 30

th of December,

2014 and 3rd

, 20th

of January and 4th

of February, 2015.

Data Analysis

After data collection, all the data were inputted and analyzed by the Statistical

Package for the Social Science (SPSS program). The significant level was set at 0.05.

A Descriptive Statistics was executed. Means were utilized to determine the

psychosocial changes of adolescents after camping. Besides, Two-Way Analysis of

variance (ANOVA) was utilized to analyze the differences of Psychosocial Changes

of adolescents between gender and age groups.

17

Chapter 4

ANALYSIS OF DATA

The purpose of this chapter was to analyze the data collected to further

investigate the psychosocial changes of adolescents after camping in Hong Kong.

Besides, the interactions between gender and age in psychosocial changes of

adolescents were determined. Lastly, the difference in psychosocial changes between

gender (male campers vs. female campers) and age groups (12-14 vs. 15-18) were

assessed.

Demographic Characteristics

There were totally 528 campers selected from 3 camps namely the Hong Kong

Federation of Youth Groups Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp, Po Leung

Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, and Hong Kong PHAB Association

Pokfulam PHAB Camp. The detail demographic information of the subjects was

showed in Table 1.

Table 1 Demographic Characteristics (N=528)

Demographic

Items

Classification N Percentage

(%)

Gender Male

Female

330

198

62.5

37.5

Age groups 12-14 325 61.6

18

15-18 203 38.4

Form F.1

F.2

F.3

F.4

F.5

F.6

138

138

71

60

110

11

26.1

26.1

13.4

11.4

20.8

2.1

Duration(Day) 1

2

3

4

210

170

79

69

39.8

32.2

15

13.1

Organization Campsite

organized

Non-campsite

organized

362

166

68.6

31.4

Descriptive Statistics of Psychosocial Changes

Preliminary analyses were conducted before the advanced analyses to avoid

problem of missing data and to ensure the data have a normal distribution by checking

the Skewness and Kurtosis Statistics. According to Kline’s guideline (1998),

Skewness and kurtosis values greater than 3.0 and 8.0 respectively are indicated as

extremely Skewed and Kurtosis. Hence, the results of Skewed and Kurtosis ranged

from -1.578 to 0.747 which mean that there are normal distribution and multivariate

normality of the variables. As showed in Table 2, there were no missing value and

variables are normally distributed.

19

Table 2 Descriptive Statistics

Items N Mean Std.

Deviation

Skewness Kurtosis

Total Scores

(Self-Determination&

Peer Relationship)

528 78.72 14.66 -.097 -.246

Apart from that, based on the result showed above (Table 2), campers received

psychosocial changes after camping (M=78.72, SD=14.66). The total scores reflected

the level of psychosocial changes which measured the Self-determination and Peer

relationship. The scores are ranked as following: scores 22 = Decrease; scores ≥23,

≤44= Did not increase or decrease; scores ≥45, ≤66= Increased a little bit, may be;

scores ≥67, ≤88= Increased some, I am sure; scores ≥89, ≤110= Increased a lot, I am

sure. The higher the scores campers acquired, the lager the psychosocial changes.

Therefore, the hypothesis that there were psychosocial changes of adolescents after

camping was accepted with mean score 78.72.

Interactions between Gender and Age in Psychosocial Changes

A two-way ANOVA was executed to explore the interactions between gender

and age in psychosocial changes. Participants were divided into two groups based on

their age (age group of 12-14 and age group of 15-18) and gender (males and females).

20

Table 3 represented the result of the interactions between gender and age. There was

significant interaction effect (F= 6.122, P=.014) between gender (males v.s. females)

and age groups (age group of 12-14 v.s. age group of 15-18) in psychosocial changes

at the .05 level of significance. Besides, Graph1 showed below plots the interactions

between age and gender with an interaction point that reached cross effect. Therefore,

the hypothesis that there were significant interactions between gender and age was

accepted.

Table 3 Tests of Between-Subjects Effects

Source F Sig.

Agegp

Gender

.853

.003

.356

.959

Agegp*Gender 6.122 .014

Graph 1 Estimated Marginal Means of Total

21

In addition, Table 4 represented the result of how effective of gender in

psychosocial changes depends on the age groups and how effective of age groups in

psychosocial changes depends on gender. It was found that males in age group of

15-18 (N=107) have a higher response to the psychosocial changes (M=81.47,

SD=13.29) than males in age group of 12-14 (N=223, M=76.90, SD=16.09). On the

contrary, females in age group of 15-18 (N=96) have a lower response to the

psychosocial changes (M=78.21, SD=13.17) than females in age group of 12-14

(N=102, M=80.29, SD=13.62). Similarly, this result also showed in table 5 by split

file. Male in between groups, the senior age group of 15-18 have a higher response to

the psychosocial changes (F=6.505, P=.011) than junior age group of 12-14. However,

for females, the senior age group of 15-18 have a lower response to the psychosocial

changes (F=1.198, P=.275) than junior age group of 12-14.

Furthermore, it was also found that with same age groups, age group of 12-14,

females have a higher response to the psychosocial changes (M= 80.29, SD=13.62)

than males (M= 76.90, SD=16.09). Whereas, in age group of 15-18, females have a

lower response to the psychosocial changes (M= 78.21, SD=13.17) than males (M=

81.47, SD=13.29).

22

Table 4 Descriptive Statistics

Age Groups Gender Mean Std. Deviation N

Agegp 12-14

Male

Female

Total

76.8969

80.2941

77.9631

16.08545

13.6197

15.41439

223

102

325

Agegp 15-18

Male

Female

Total

81.4673

78.2083

79.9261

13.28733

13.17008

13.29965

107

96

203

Total Score

Male

Female

Total

78.3788

79.2828

78.7178

15.36443

13.41038

14.65576

330

198

528

Gender Age Groups Mean Std. Deviation N

Male

Female

Total Score

Agegp 12-14

Agegp 15-18

Total

Agegp 12-14

Agegp 15-18

Total

Agegp 12-14

Agegp 15-18

Total

76.8969

81.4673

78.3788

80.2941

78.2083

79.2828

77.9631

79.9261

78.7178

16.08545

13.28733

15.36443

13.61972

13.17008

13.41038

15.41439

13.29965

14.65576

223

107

330

102

96

198

325

203

528

Difference in psychosocial changes between males and females

The result of a two way between groups analysis of variance testing the mean

difference in psychosocial changes between males and females was showed in Table 3

and 4 respectively. There was no significant mean difference (F=.003, P=.959)

between males and females in psychosocial changes. Also, there are similar mean

between males (N=330, M= 78.38, SD=15.36) and females (N=198, M= 79.28,

SD=13.41). Therefore, the hypothesis that there was a significant mean difference in

psychosocial changes between males and females was rejected.

23

Difference in psychosocial changes between age group of 12-14 and age

group of 15-18

In order to determine the mean difference in psychosocial changes between age

group of 12-14 and age group of 15-18, a two way between groups analysis of

variance was conducted. Table 3 and 4 represented the result of the mean difference in

psychosocial changes between age group of 12-14 and age group of 15-18. There was

no significant mean difference (F=.853, P=.356) between age group of 12-14 and age

group of 15-18 in psychosocial changes. Also, there are similar mean between age

group of 12-14 (N=325, M= 77.96, SD=15.41) and age group of 15-18 (N=203, M=

79.92, SD=13.30). Therefore, the hypothesis that there was a significant mean

difference in psychosocial changes between age group of 12-14 and age group of

15-18 was rejected.

Discussion

Participants received psychosocial changes after camping

According to ACA (2005), adolescents gained benefits in psychosocial changes

including enhancing social skills, self-determination and leadership after camping.

Similar result was found in the present study. Campers improved their psychosocial

status after camping (M=78.72, SD=14.66). 50.8% campers acquired more than mean

24

scores which is 78.72 which indicated that half of them sure that they have enhanced

some psychosocial changes which are peer-relationship and self-determined after

camping (scores ≥67, ≤88= Increased some, I am sure). Based on Thurber, Scanlin,

Scheuler, and Henderson (2007), they indicated that camp acts as an educational

institution which benefits to the growth of adolescents in psychosocial. Therefore,

camp experience can powerfully influence psychosocial changes of adolescents after

engaging in camp.

Interactions between gender and age in psychosocial changes

The present study found that there were interactions between gender and age in

psychosocial changes of adolescents after camping (F= 6.122, P=.014). Based on the

result, it indicated that with same gender, there are different response levels to the

psychosocial changes with different age groups. For males, senior campers who are

age 15-18 (M=81.47, SD=13.29) possess greater psychosocial changes than junior

campers who are age 12-14 (M=76.90, SD=16.09) as personality of senior male

adolescents are more mature conscientiousness and stability. Hence, they are more

eager to build up friendship with other (Perry, & Pauletti, 2011). On the other hand,

females who are age 15-18 (M=78.21, SD=13.17) possess lower psychosocial

changes than junior campers who are age 12-14 (M=80.29, SD=13.62). The reason is

25

the senior female adolescents are in the stage of puberty, they tend to be introverted

and changes not to express their feel as junior females adolescents do. (Perry, &

Pauletti, 2011). Hence, they relatively meet fewer friends and have lower

self-determination change. Thus, it can be concluded that the older the male campers,

the high response level to the psychosocial changes. However, the older the female

campers, the lower response level to the psychosocial changes.

Apart from that, based on the result, it also indicated that with same age group,

there is different response level to the psychosocial changes with different gender as

well. For age group of 12-14, males (M= 76.90, SD=16.09) possess lower response to

the psychosocial changes than females (M= 80.29, SD=13.62). It is because the

females are “people oriented”. Due to the personality of stressful and emotional of

females, they are more socialized to express their feeling. (Perry, & Pauletti, 2011).

Hence, they are active to build up peer relationship during camping. Nevertheless, for

age group of 15-18, males (M= 81.47, SD=13.29) possess higher response to the

psychosocial changes than females (M= 78.21, SD=13.17). Since males relatively

have a higher self-esteem when compare to female adolescents, so they have more

psychosocial changes than female campers in this age groups. (Perry, & Pauletti,

2011). In short, male campers have lower response level to the psychosocial changes

26

than female campers within age group of 12-14. However, male campers have

stronger response level to the psychosocial changes than female campers within age

group of 15-18.

Psychosocial changes between genders

Thurber, Scanlin, Scheuler, and Henderson (2007), suggested that there is no

significance result showing different gender influence the psychosocial changes. The

same result was found in the present study. Both male and female campers experience

psychosocial changes after camping. Male campers (M= 78.38) and female campers

(M= 79.28) are sure to enhance their peer-relationship and self-determined status

which reach the score range: scores ≥67, ≤88 that means “Increased some, I am sure”.

Hence, there were no significance differences between male and female campers in

psychosocial changes after camping.

Psychosocial changes between age groups

It was found that different age campers have different psychosocial changes

(Hedrick, Homan, &Dick, 2009). Similarly, Marsh (1999), indicated that campers

with younger age gained lager benefits of psychosocial changes from camping

experience. However, the present study indicated that there was no significant mean

27

difference in psychosocial changes between age group of 12-14 and age group of

15-18 in Hong Kong. Both age group of 12-14 and age group of 15-18 experience

psychosocial changes after camping. Age group of 12-14 (M= 77.96) and age group

of 15-18 (M=79.92) reach the score range: scores ≥67, ≤88 that means

“Increased some, I am sure” that are sure to enhance their peer-relationship and

self-determined status.

Chapter 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The aims of this study are to identify psychosocial changes of the adolescents

after camping. Also, it serves to determine the interactions between gender and age

groups. Moreover, it attempted to examine the difference in psychosocial changes

between gender, as well as age groups of the adolescents.

SUMMARY

In order to investigate the psychosocial changes of the adolescents after camping,

528 campers were selected from the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Jockey

Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp, Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday

Camp, and Hong Kong PHAB Association Pokfulam PHAB Camp. And

28

Self-Determination and Peer Relationship scales are adopted to measure the

psychosocial changes.

The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized to analyze

the data collected. Statistical techniques including Descriptive Statistics and Two Way

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted.

The present study showed that the campers received psychosocial changes which

are self-determination and peer relationship after camping. Besides, there were

significant interactions between gender and age. The older the male campers, the

stronger response level to the psychosocial changes than the younger campers.

However, the younger the female campers, the stronger response level to the

psychosocial changes. Moreover, male campers have lower response level to the

psychosocial changes than female campers within age group of 12-14. Whereas, male

campers have stronger response level to the psychosocial changes than female

campers within age group of 15-18.

In addition, there was no significant mean difference in psychosocial changes

between male and female campers. Also, there was no significant mean difference in

29

psychosocial changes between age group of 12-14 and age group of 15-18 after

camping.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations, the following conclusions are drew:

1. The participants received psychosocial changes which including

self-determination and peer relationship after participating into camp

activities.

2. The response level of same gender to the psychosocial changes was different

with different age groups. The older the male campers, the stronger response

level to the psychosocial changes than the younger campers. However, the

younger the female campers, the stronger response level to the psychosocial

changes than the older female campers.

3. The response level of same age groups to the psychosocial changes was

different with different genders. Within age group of 12-14, male campers

have lower response level to the psychosocial changes than female campers.

Whereas, within age group of 15-18, male campers have stronger response

level to the psychosocial changes than female campers.

4. There was no significant difference in psychosocial changes between male

30

campers and female campers. Both of them enhanced their psychosocial

status after engaging to camp.

5. There was no significant difference in psychosocial changes between age

group of 12-14 and age group 15-18. Both age groups enhanced their

psychosocial status after camping.

RECOMMENDATION

The following are the recommendation for the further studies:

1. The activity programs delivered to campers are not totally the same. Some

activities were organized and led by schools and they only use camp as venue.

Thus, subjects who are participated into activities which planned and led by

the campsite should be selected.

2. The result of the present study reflected a short-term of the psychosocial

changes of adolescents after the camping experience through 1-4 days. A

follow-up session to investigate the stability and sustainability of the

psychosocial changes should be conducted.

3. The duration of subjects stay in camp could be a crucial variable that

influence the psychosocial changes of campers. Thus, duration variable is

recommended to do in the further study.

31

4. Questionnaires were carried out immediately at the end of the camping. The

atmosphere such as campers in a high emotion, they are excited about camp,

thus they are likely to share positive experiences when filled in the

questionnaires. A quiet and formal venue is recommended for campers who

are filling the questionnaires. Thus, they can calm down themselves and treat

it more formally.

32

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36

營地活動對青少年心理社交的改變問卷調查

第一部分:

本問卷為香港浸會大學體育及康樂管理(榮譽)文學士畢業論文之研究。 此問卷有關青少年參與營地活

動後，心理社交方面的改變。參與此次問卷調查乃屬自願性質, 並不存在任何利益關係。而此問卷內容

(包括私人資料) 絕對保密，資料只作研究用途。所有個人資料會在研究報告完成後銷毀。

第二部分:

請仔細閱讀每條問題，並將適當的 O填滿。

參與營地活動後, 我......

退步 沒有改進或退步 小許改進 有些改進 大量改進

1.變得更善於選擇益友 O O O O O

2.變得更善於在空餘時計劃參與新的

活動

O O O O O

3.變得更善於與朋友傾談對他們重要

的事情

O O O O O

4.變得更善於瞭解新事物

O O O O O

5.變得更善於細心聆聽朋友傾訴的內

容

O O O O O

6.變得更善於藝術製作

O O O O O

7.變得更善於與朋友傾談對自己重要

的事情

O O O O O

8.變得更善於計劃休閒活動

O O O O O

9.變得更善於瞭解關心朋友的事情

O O O O O

10.變得更善於與其他人進行休閒活動

O O O O O

11.變得更善於體諒朋友的感受 O O O O O

12.變得更善於認識新朋友 O O O O O

APPENDIX A

37

退步 沒有改進或退步 小許改進 有些改進 大量改進

13.變得更善於體諒朋友的情緒

O O O O O

14.變得更善於照顧自己

O O O O O

15. 變得更善於被朋友信任

O O O O O

16. 變得更善於學習新事物

O O O O O

17.變得更善於信任自己的朋友

O O O O O

18. 變得更善於享受與朋友一起

O O O O O

19.變得更善於令朋友感覺到與我一起

有美好時光

O O O O O

20.變得更善於尋找方法認識我想成為

朋友的人

O O O O O

21.變得更善於瞭解我想成為朋友的人

O O O O O

22.變得更善於認識與自己有相同興趣

的朋友

O O O O O

第三部分:

個人資料:

請在適當的□填上✓

性別: □ 男 □女

年齡:__________________

就讀級別:________________

參與的營地活動主辦機構: _______________________________________________________

參與營地活動日數: _______________________

感謝您填寫此調查問卷