ERIC Number: EJ1436874
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Sep
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-8259
EISSN: EISSN-2169-009X
Recreational Therapists and the Duty of Care
Kerrie A. Bethel; Nick E. Fuhrman; Kathleen D. Kelsey; Abigail Borron
Journal of Experiential Education, v47 n3 p536-554 2024
Background: A variety of residential and experiential therapeutic programs exist for youth who experience emotional, behavioral, or substance abuse problems that are not adequately responsive to traditional treatment options. While evaluations of programs are available in the literature, investigation of the experiences of professionals who undergird these programs and oversee reentry of youth back into their communities is lacking. Purpose: The research reported here aimed to explicate the experiences of recreational therapists. Methodology/Approach: Qualitative design was used to collect and analyze data. Semistructured interviews were employed, and data were analyzed by content analysis. Findings/Conclusions: Findings indicated recreational therapists were optimistic, intrinsically motivated to spend time outdoors, became personally invested in their work and experienced personal growth from their work. They required additional systems of support and guidance to effectively counter compassion fatigue and associated burnout. Measures for organizations to effectively counter compassion fatigue through enhancement of peer support systems and self-care guidance are needed. Implications: The results provided insight into the characteristics, needs, and experiences of recreational therapists who work with high-promise youth. Further, the work provided a proposed change to current models of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue subscale interactions in this population.
Descriptors: Therapeutic Recreation, Allied Health Personnel, Counselor Attitudes, At Risk Persons, Youth, Work Attitudes, Altruism, Fatigue (Biology), Burnout, Self Management, Social Support Groups, Adventure Education, Personality Traits, Work Environment
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A