ABSTRACT Distress and discomfort are a part of the US military college experience. Women cadets experience additional challenges including unwelcoming environments, relative isolation, and minority status. A review of the literature shows that wilderness-based experiences offer benefits in the areas of stress-coping, self-efficacy, cognitive function, social support, and happiness. This mixed-methods exploratory study examined happiness outcomes for 12 cadet women (N = 12) who participated in a three-day backpacking event. A moderate effect size was found between pretest and posttest happiness scores for the backpacking group (d = −0.55). In comparison, little or no effect size (d = −0.04) was found for the control group. A t-test also showed significant differences (p < .05) between the mean pretest and posttest happiness scores for the experimental group only. Cadets in the backpacking group offered the following themes when accounting for happiness gains: nature, bonding, self-reflection, relaxation, and adventure. The authors propose wilderness-based interventions to bolster cadet women’s coping and resilience.

中文翻译：

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女大学生背包客的幸福结果

摘要 痛苦和不适是美国军校经历的一部分。女学员经历了额外的挑战，包括不受欢迎的环境、相对孤立和少数族裔地位。对文献的回顾表明，基于荒野的体验在压力应对、自我效能、认知功能、社会支持和幸福方面提供了好处。这项混合方法探索性研究检查了参加为期三天的背包活动的 12 名女学员（N = 12）的幸福结果。在背包组的前测和后测幸福分数之间发现了中等效应大小（d = -0.55）。相比之下，对照组几乎没有或没有影响大小 (d = -0.04)。t 检验也显示出显着差异（p < . 05) 仅在实验组的平均前测和后测幸福分数之间。在考虑幸福感时，背包组的学员提供以下主题：自然、联系、自我反省、放松和冒险。作者提出了基于荒野的干预措施，以增强女学员的应对能力和适应力。