Outcomes from a One-Week Adapted Sport and Adapted Adventure Recovery Programme for Military Personnel

• Main Authors: Suzanne M. Peacock (Author), Jim McKenna (Author), David Carless (Author), Carlton Cooke (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2019-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background: The Battle Back Centre offers a bespoke, Self Determination Theory-oriented adapted sport and adventurous training programme centred on experiential learning and reflection to support the recovery of military personnel. Aim: To identify the short-term impact of participation in the programme on positive mental health and psychological need satisfaction. Method: Participants were 978 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) personnel classified as: Wounded (battle casualties), Injured (non-battle casualties) and Sick (mental/physical illness). Participants completed the Basic Need Satisfaction in General Scale (Gagn&#233;, 2003) and Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (Tennant et al. 2006) on arrival and course completion. Results: All measures of positive mental health and psychological need satisfaction showed statistically significant increases, with a large effect size, from baseline to course completion (mean &#177; SD change in positive mental health, competence, autonomy and relatedness were 7.19 &#177; 9.61, 0.46 &#177; 0.9, 0.27 &#177; 0.84, 0.26 &#177; 0.86, respectively, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). While the average magnitude of the intervention effect for positive mental health (16%) is comparable or greater than other reported interventions, changes were achieved in a shorter time. Conclusion: Findings highlight the positive short-term effect adapted sport and adventurous activities have for WIS personnel. Declaration of interest: Work supported by The Royal British Legion.

Item Description

2075-4663
10.3390/sports7060135