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University Study Shows Aspen Outdoor Programs Have Long Term Success
09/27/02
Contact Mark Hobbins, mhobbins@aspeneducation.com


A follow up study released September 27, 2002 by the University of Idaho's Wilderness Research Center reports that clients continued to improve one year after treatment. The study, which included three Aspen Education Group programs, reveals that adolescent participants report continued effectiveness in maintaining a healthy lifestyle long after discharge.

"We wanted to examine client well-being after treatment to address the question asked at the conclusion of our last report: To what degree will clients maintain identified outcomes at follow-up periods?" said Keith Russell, author and principal investigator in the study. "This is especially critical because most research in this area has found mixed results that often point to a fading of outcomes at one-year follow-up periods because adolescents return to environments that often perpetuate dysfunctional behavior."

"We are gratified that the Aspen Outdoor Programs continue to demonstrate quality outcomes", said Elliot Sainer, CEO of Aspen Education Group, Inc.

Outcomes were assessed using the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ) that asked adolescents and their parents to assess psychological, emotional and behavioral well-being at admission, discharge, and 12-months after treatment. The results suggested that clients had maintained their outcomes, and based on client self-report, had continued to improve after treatment.

Clients' self-reported significant improvement in the behavioral dysfunction content area of the YOQ, suggesting improvement in organizing tasks, completing assignments in school, and learning how to handle frustration in appropriate ways. "I think this shows that Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare is effective at addressing presenting behavioral problems, but may need to further identify ways to help clients maintain recently developed interpersonal skills that are continually tested in post treatment environments" said Russell.


About Aspen Education Group

Aspen Education Group (www.aspeneducation.com) provides educational programs that promote academic and personal growth to youth and their families. Aspen currently operates 46 locations in eight states, including ten residential schools and eight experiential education programs and special education schools. In 2001, Aspen provided services to almost 8,000 youth.