Bandura goes outdoors: Role of self‐efficacy in the outdoor leadership development process

Abstract

The foci of this study are the benefits of participation in outdoor leadership programs and the factors that contribute to continued participation in outdoor leadership development activities. Study objectives were to a) assess the short‐ and long‐term effects of outdoor leadership programs on self‐efficacy and b) propose and evaluate a path model of self‐efficacy and continued participation in outdoor leadership development activities. A quasi‐experimental design was employed. Major findings include a significant effect of the treatment (i.e., the outdoor programs) on both immediate and long‐term self‐efficacy. The full path model was not significant. However, a post hoc division of the path model by gender revealed distinct processes for men and women. Implications for further theoretical development based on path analysis and improvements in outdoor education programs are discussed.