Adventure related work methods in social services: facilitating transfer effects through support person
Lari, Laasjärvi (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024112529827
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024112529827
Tiivistelmä
This paper researched the positive effects of adventure related work methods in the field of social services. In this thesis all helpers and workers of different facilities are all referred mainly as support persons, because it was expedient to choose one comprehensive term for all. For the same reasons adventure education, experiential learning and outdoor education are all explained, but are all referred as “adventure related work methods” because of their multiple confluences.
This thesis investigates how one skillful person can facilitate lifechanging positive transfer effects through adventure related activities. In this thesis the work of a support person is perceived as mentally challenging, and it is suggested that adventure related methods of working, and their thoughtful execution will also reduce the risks of work-related exhaustion.
The knowledge base of this thesis explains what adventure is and what is meant by the term “transfer effect” in this context. Through investigation and observing the results of multiple interviews this thesis aimed to answer two main questions: “What are the elements leading to permanent change from destructive behaviors?” and “What are the professional skills needed to facilitate transfer effects leading to permanent change”? In search for answers to these questions, two target groups were interviewed, one of experience specialists and one of professionals working in the field of social services. All interviews were planned to reflect and produce dialogue between the two groups and were performed in semi-structured way to allow spontaneity and freedom to initiate further discussions.
This thesis relies on its knowledge base, but also uses quotes of the interviewed subjects as sources of information. Those quotes are perceived as important references and were thought to have essential practical value. As this thesis is also a journey to discover new ways of working, reflective suggestions to implement different theories are used to build a more developed framework for professional support person work.
This study shows that adventure related work methods have profound effects on people having challenging life situations. They can alter the course of life and provide an effective framework for rehabilitation processes leading to self-actualization and elevated well-being. The interviewed groups of experience specialists and professionals of social services both recognizes that adventure related work methods are an essential step forward towards elevated self-esteem, occupational well-being and effective results of rehabilitation processes. These results show that using adventure related work methods will also produce outcomes that can reduce the need for medical interventions. A classification analysis was used to analyze the interviews and extract relevant information for this thesis.
This thesis investigates how one skillful person can facilitate lifechanging positive transfer effects through adventure related activities. In this thesis the work of a support person is perceived as mentally challenging, and it is suggested that adventure related methods of working, and their thoughtful execution will also reduce the risks of work-related exhaustion.
The knowledge base of this thesis explains what adventure is and what is meant by the term “transfer effect” in this context. Through investigation and observing the results of multiple interviews this thesis aimed to answer two main questions: “What are the elements leading to permanent change from destructive behaviors?” and “What are the professional skills needed to facilitate transfer effects leading to permanent change”? In search for answers to these questions, two target groups were interviewed, one of experience specialists and one of professionals working in the field of social services. All interviews were planned to reflect and produce dialogue between the two groups and were performed in semi-structured way to allow spontaneity and freedom to initiate further discussions.
This thesis relies on its knowledge base, but also uses quotes of the interviewed subjects as sources of information. Those quotes are perceived as important references and were thought to have essential practical value. As this thesis is also a journey to discover new ways of working, reflective suggestions to implement different theories are used to build a more developed framework for professional support person work.
This study shows that adventure related work methods have profound effects on people having challenging life situations. They can alter the course of life and provide an effective framework for rehabilitation processes leading to self-actualization and elevated well-being. The interviewed groups of experience specialists and professionals of social services both recognizes that adventure related work methods are an essential step forward towards elevated self-esteem, occupational well-being and effective results of rehabilitation processes. These results show that using adventure related work methods will also produce outcomes that can reduce the need for medical interventions. A classification analysis was used to analyze the interviews and extract relevant information for this thesis.