For a facilitator to be able to enhance the self esteem of outdoor adventure participants it is important to understand the definitions behind the concept of self esteem.
Fox (1998), appears the simplest, explaining the self esteem concept as self identity. However, Campbell (1984) explains self esteem as being ‘the awareness of good possessed by the self’. However, this depends on what you perceive as being good and that it may in fact be based on socially undesirable qualities, depending on what your own perception of being socially acceptable is. This may differ between individuals and groups of people who follow traits and behaviour associated with a particular group/background. Elmer (2004) confirms that within self esteem, ‘ethnicity’, ‘social class’, and ‘gender’ are all linked. Indeed, Branden (1994) highlights that most psychological problems stem from low self esteem. From experience, I concur that I believe people with a low self esteem are less likely to do well in life, compared to those with a higher self esteem.
James (1890) implies that a person must own their own perception of their future success and that self esteem is as a result of ‘dissonance’ between their aspirations and actual achievements. This is in addition to the realisation of any personal success or perceptions of ability and goal setting (Campbell 1984). To combat this, Branden (1994) explains ‘What determines that level of self esteem is what the individual does’, going on to say ‘it is a way of operating day by day, in big issues and small, a way of behaving that is also a way of being,’ implying that self esteem is as a direct result of what people do.
Participants learn through what they do, be it correct or incorrect. Repetition establishes sound understanding from which an individual can further learn but they need to reflect on their experiences and evaluate their learning to reach their perceived success. It is therefore vital for us, as outdoor practitioners, to provide the correct techniques, information and experiences on which individuals can base their learning. We can only maximise their self esteem as a result of delivering the correct, high quality techniques, taught in the proper environment, providing they wish to succeed. We must inspire them with confidence and self belief to enable them to enhance their learning and raise their personal self esteem.
References
Brandon N (1995). The Six Pillars of Self Esteem. The Definitive Work on Self Esteem by the Leading Pioneer in the Field. New York: Bantam Books.
Elmer, N. (2001, cited in Bunyan, 2005). Self-Esteem: The Costs and Causes of Low Self-Worth. York: York Publishing Services.
Fox, (1998 cited in Bunyan, 2005). Advances in the Measurement of the Physical Self. In: J. L. Duda. (Ed). Advances in Sport and Exercise Psychology Measurement. Morgantown: Fitness Information Technology Inc.
James, W (1890). The Principles of Psychology. Holt. USA
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