PROTOCOL: The effectiveness of wilderness therapy and adventure learning in reducing anti-social and offending behaviour in children and young people at risk of offending

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows. The review will address the following research questions: (1) What are the long- and short-term effects of wilderness therapy and adventure learning on anti-social behaviour and violent and other offending behaviour? What factors explain any heterogeneity (i.e., moderate) these effects. What are the long- and short-term effects of wilderness therapy and adventure learning on intermediate mental health and behaviour outcomes such as social skills and self-regulation? What factors explain any heterogeneity (i.e., moderate) these effects? Factors such as setting (indoor/outdoor), quality of relationship with counsellors and the degree of the challenge element involved are important moderators of these effects, and help explain any observed heterogeneity across studies (2) What are the barriers and facilitators affecting the successful implementation of wilderness therapy and adventure learning programmes? (3) Are wilderness therapy and adventure learning interventions cost effective?