The role of wilderness therapy for adolescents in the face of global trends of urbanization and technification

Abstract

This paper discusses how the increased urbanization and technification trends of our time may partly explain the considerable rise in adolescent maladjustment, typically expressed through symptoms of depression and anxiety. The authors argue that if living life increasingly disconnected from the natural world is part of the cause, then reversing, or at least moderating these trends and resultant pathology, must be part of the solution. Evidence-based wilderness therapy approaches have a long history of enabling optimal growth and personal development with adolescents. This article proposes how specific core elements of these often-complex therapeutic outdoor programs can be put to use on a broad scale throughout our communities. We provide examples supporting a three-stage approach to address the deleterious effects of urbanization and technification in adolescents; (1) changing beliefs, (2) education, and (3) planning. Finally we present some practical examples of possible antidote measures.

Keywords

• Urbanization
• technification
• wilderness therapy
• adolescence