|
Dependency and Distress at Summer Camp
Fichman, L., Koestner, R., & Zuroff,
D.G.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 26.2
(1997) 217-232
Purpose:
Measure adaptation to sleep away camp in
terms of levels of dependency, self criticism,
and psychological distress as manifested
by depression and low self-esteem.
Sample:
Three groups of campers:
- 57 attending a local day camp
- 75 returning residential campers
- 22 first time residential campers
All children were from upper to middle
class families and ranged in ages from 8-16.
All campers attended camp for a period between
4 to 6 weeks. Age and gender means were
proportionally equal between groups.
Methods/Instruments:
Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for
Adolescents (DEQ-A), Center for Epidemiological
Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC),
Perceived Competence Scale for Children,
4-point scale to determine subjects perception
of "interpersonal resources at camp".
Results:
- No gender differences for depression,
self-esteem or self-criticism; marginal
difference in dependency measures with
girls scoring slightly higher than boys.
- No relationship between age and self-criticism
or dependency; significant positive relation
between age and self-esteem; significant
negative relation between age and depression.
- Significant positive relationship between
dependency and self-criticism, but no
differences across the groups.
- Significant negative relationship between
depression and self-esteem.
- Significant reports of greater distress
among younger subjects.
- Slight negative relationship between
dependency and distress in day campers;
Slight positive relationship between dependency
and distress in returning residential
campers; Strong positive relationship
between dependency and distress in first
time residential campers.
- No relation between self-criticism and
distress to the type of camp or past camp
experience.
- Maintaining contact with family and
friends at home and establishing a best
friendship at camp reported as main variables
to help highly dependent campers have
fun at camp.
|
 |
|
