[[alternative]]A Study of the Guidance Effects of Adlerian- Oriented Adventure Activities for Elementary School Students with Low Self-Esteem

[[abstract]]A Study of the Guidance Effects of Adlerian- Oriented Adventure Activities for Elementary School Students with Low Self-Esteem Gen-Wang Chen Abstract The purpose of this research was to explore whether the high-grade elementary school students with low-esteem could enhance their self-esteem by participating Adlerian-oriented adventure activities. The contents of Adlerian-oriented adventure activities in this study were based on the three primary principles of curriculum plan in Adventure Education and the major concepts of Adler Psychology. The three principles included: (1) experiential learning circle; (2) challenge by choice; (3) full value contract. The major concepts of Adler Psychology included social interest, life style, strivings for superiority, creative self, and so on. Adlerian-oriented adventure activities in this study included 25 units of activities. 13 units were practiced in first semester and 12 units in second semester. The sequences of this activities included acquaintance activities, de-inhibitizer activities, trust and empathy activities, communication activities, cooperation activities, problem-solving activities and social responsibility activities. This research adopted experimental design, and administered in the first semester and the second semester. There were 28 fifth-grade elementary school students in Taipei used as the participants (experimental group 14, control group 14). The students in experimental group participated Adlerian-oriented adventure activities. The students in control group didn’t take part in any group activity. The independent variables were Adlerian-oriented adventure activities and stages (previous, median, post and after-post test). The dependent variables were participants’ psychological self-esteem, physical self-esteem, academic self-esteem, interpersonal self-esteem and family self-esteem. In order to understand the delayed effects of Adlerian-oriented adventure activities on the participants, the after-post test was administered one and a half months after the activity was finished. The collected data were analyzed by split-plot design. The main findings were as follows: 1.The experimental group had higher academic self-esteem scores in post-test than those of the control group. It showed that the Adlerian-oriented adventure activities were helpful to enhance the academic self-esteem of low-esteem elementary school students. 2.There were no differences of psychological self-esteem, physical self-esteem, interpersonal self-esteem and family self-esteem scores in post-test between experimental and control group. According to the results, from the long-term viewpoints, Adlerian-oriented adventure activities were helpful to enhance the academic self-esteem of high-grade elementary school students with low-esteem. Additionally, from the interview with the experimental group, the researcher found that the students could apply their personal understanding to the daily life, and improved their self evaluation and perception in the self-esteem in psychological, physical and interpersonal aspects.