Adventures in Identity Development: The Impact of Adventure Recreation on Adolescent Identity Development

This study examined the effect of an adventure recreation program on adolescent identity development. Participants included 43 males and 45 females, ages 11 to 15 (M = 13.33, SD =.86). Twenty-two males and 23 females participated in the program, and the remaining youth served as members of a comparison group. Participants completed a two-week adventure program that included such activities as back-packing, mountain biking, white-water rafting, environmental education, and leadership training. The Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory was used to measure levels of identity, intimacy, and generativity, and the Identity Styles Inventory was used to assess informational, normative, and diffuse/avoidant approaches to identity formation. Results indicated that program participants experienced significant identity development when contrasted with the comparison group.