Centre for Human Performance, Performance in Extreme Environments, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK.
Social & Economic Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Apr 21;19(9):5049. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095049.
Meaningful, positive, emotional and challenging adventurous activities may generate personal growth or recovery from ill health or injury. In this study, we used a distinctive longitudinal and immersive research approach to explore the psychological impact of a high-altitude expedition to the Nepalese Himalaya on 10 (9 males) UK military veterans with longstanding well-being concerns. In the 12 months prior to the expedition, participants took part in three training weekends in the UK mountains. During the expedition, instructors-who were all experienced health coaches-facilitated reflective practices with the beneficiaries throughout, focusing on experiential transfer to day-to-day lives after the expedition. Follow-up interviews, conducted up to 18-months post-expedition, identified that the most desirable changes aligned with the three innate psychological needs of self-determination theory: autonomy, competence and relatedness. The routines established during the preparation stage and during the expedition itself activated a renewed energy for personal improvement. At 18 months post-expedition, the key changes reflected altered perspective, employment skills and work-life balance, increased physical activity and enhanced personal awareness and mindfulness. Importantly, supported by regular health coaching and focused on the transfer of learning, expeditions can activate meaningful long-term changes to the well-being and personal development of military veterans.
有意义、积极、情感和富有挑战性的冒险活动可以促进个人成长或从健康问题或伤害中恢复。在这项研究中，我们采用了独特的纵向和沉浸式研究方法，来探索对尼泊尔喜马拉雅地区的一次高海拔探险对 10 名（9 名男性）有长期健康问题的英国退伍军人的心理影响。在探险之前的 12 个月里，参与者参加了三次在英国山区的培训周末。在探险期间，指导员（都是经验丰富的健康教练）在整个探险过程中为受益人的进行反思练习提供帮助，重点是在探险结束后将体验转移到日常生活中。在探险结束后的 18 个月内进行的后续访谈确定，最理想的变化与自我决定理论的三个内在心理需求一致：自主性、能力和关联性。在准备阶段和探险过程中建立的日常生活为个人的自我提升提供了新的动力。在探险结束后的 18 个月，关键变化反映了视角的改变、就业技能和工作与生活的平衡、增加了身体活动以及提高了个人意识和正念。重要的是，通过定期的健康教练的支持，并注重学习的转移，探险可以为退伍军人的幸福感和个人发展带来有意义的长期变化。
