Positive Youth Development at Camps for Youth with Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Authors

  • Mya DeBoer Sendak Duke University, Department of Pediatrics http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1066-5076
  • Clarissa Schilstra Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  • Eitan Tye Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  • Samuel Brotkin Duke University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Gary Maslow Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2018.551

Keywords:

camp, youth with childhood onset chronic illness, positive youth development

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically review all the literature on camps for youth with childhood onset chronic illness (COCI) utilizing the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework to assess camp processes and psychosocial outcomes. This paper describes a unique dataset of 425 included studies published over the last 70 years and gives a broad overview of camp demographics, processes that align with PYD’s Big 3 (sustained adult-youth relationships, skill-building, and youth leadership) and measured outcomes that align with the PYD’s 5 Cs (Competence, Confidence, Character, Social Connectedness, and Compassion). Among the included studies, 36% included diabetes camps, 15% included camps accepting multiple illnesses, 12% included cancer camps, and 11% included asthma camps. The majority of participants were under the age of 16. While no study explicitly used the PYD approach, over 90% of studies described camps that deployed both active leadership and sustained positive relationships, while only 59% of studies described camps providing the opportunity to learn life skills. Although no study utilized the PYD 5 Cs framework for outcome measurement, 47% addressed outcomes related to Competence, 44% addressed Confidence, 33% addressed Connection, 4% addressed Compassion, and 2% addressed Character. This review highlights opportunities for camp leadership to align their programming with the PYD framework, to incorporate older adolescents and young adults and, ultimately, to improve positive adult outcomes for youth with COCI. It provides a starting point for future research evaluating illness-specific camps using a PYD approach. 

Author Biographies

Mya DeBoer Sendak, Duke University, Department of Pediatrics

Pediatric Resident Physician at Duke University School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics

Clarissa Schilstra, Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Research and Programming Assistant in Integrated Pediatric Mental Health. 

Eitan Tye, Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Project Coordinator in Integrated Pediatric Mental Health.

 

Samuel Brotkin, Duke University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience

PhD Candidate in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Duke University.


Gary Maslow, Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Co-Chief Division of Child and Family Mental Health and Developmental Neurosciences in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Primary Care Pediatrician at Duke University School of Medicine.

References

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Published

2018-04-20

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1-2 (2018): Special Issue on Camp Experience

Section

Feature Articles

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