title: An outcome evaluation of the implementation of the Outward Bound Singapore five-day "intercept" program.
abstract: The present study evaluated an Outward Bound Singapore five-day "intercept" program for 136 adolescent participants, aimed at addressing frequent deliberate truancy and absenteeism from school and within-school extracurricular activities using a quasi-experimental design with a matched no-treatment comparison group. Findings suggested that there is some preliminary evidence that such a program could yield positive outcomes in terms of adolescents being more behaviorally engaged in school as demonstrated by improved attendance of both academic and non-academic activities up to 3 months after the conclusion of the intervention program. Goal setting had a short-term positive effect with intervention participants improving significantly more so than comparison participants at 1-month post intervention but not at 3-month follow up. For problem solving, although the intervention group participants improved more than comparison participants at both 1-month post intervention and at 3-month follow up, these effects were not statistically significant. Research and practice implications were discussed.
authors.affiliation: Psychological Studies Academic Group, National Institute of Education, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Singapore. Electronic address: rebecca.ang@nie.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Rebecca P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Nurul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Farihah
authors.affiliation: People's Association, 9 King George's Avenue, Singapore 208581, Singapore.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011998:Recreation; D012846:Singapore; D012931:Social Environment; D013332:Student Dropouts
keywords: Dropout prevention; Evaluation; Outdoor adventure education; Outward Bound; School engagement