Locus of Control and Adventure Programs: A Comparison of the Effects of Initiatives versus Initiatives/High Ropes Course Programs on Participants' Locus of Control

Abstract

Previous research has found that adventure programs, specifically ropes courses, have had positive effects on participants, including increased group cohesion, increased selfesteem, decreased substance abuse, decreased depression, and more internal locus of control. Internal locus of control has been positively correlated with life satisfaction, selfesteem, educational aspirations, environmental awareness, positive decision-making, and negatively correlated with depression. Because internal locus of control has been associated with these socially desirable attributes, the present study was designed to examine the specific outcomes effects of an adventure program including initiatives only versus a program incorporating both initiatives and high ropes activities in comparison with a control group.