Evaluating the mental, emotional, and social health status of youth and staff in a national summer camp cohort.
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| Title: | Evaluating the mental, emotional, and social health status of youth and staff in a national summer camp cohort. |
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| Authors: | Garst, Barry A. (AUTHOR), Skrocki, Alexandra (AUTHOR), Owens, Megan H. (AUTHOR), Gaslin, Tracey (AUTHOR), Schultz, Beth E. (AUTHOR), Hashikawa, Andrew N. (AUTHOR), Gaberson, Kathleen B. (AUTHOR), Ambrose, Michael (AUTHOR), DeHudy, Ashley A. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Children's Health Care. Jul-Sep2026, Vol. 55 Issue 3, p311-331. 21p. |
| Subjects: | Competency assessment (Law), Emotion regulation, Health status indicators, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Emotions, Judgment sampling, Descriptive statistics, Anxiety, Camps, Longitudinal method, Weather, Social skills, Clinical competence, Data analysis software, School health services, Mental depression, Adolescence |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | The prevalence of mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) challenges among youth in out-of-school time (OST) contexts is on the rise, exacerbated by the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this escalation, recent literature has explored MESH concerns impacting youth program participants and young adult staff. This study focuses on participant and staff MESH issues within summer camps and the healthcare practices implemented by program providers to address those issues. Our four research questions are: (1) What are the characteristics of camper and staff MESH issues?; (2) What are characteristics of MESH medications managed in camps?; (3) How are camp providers preparing staff for camper MESH care?; and (4) How are camp providers responding to staff MESH care needs? Findings highlight prevalent MESH issues facing youth and young adult staff and program preparedness. Notably, our study affirmed that the most prevalent MESH issues facing youth and young adult staff are anxiety, ADHD, depression, and emotional regulation. Study findings also indicated that while many camps engage in pre-camp MESH trainings, a limited number revisit MESH topics during the summer work period. Collectively, these results offer key insights into camp providers' experiences with youth and young adult staff MESH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The prevalence of mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) challenges among youth in out-of-school time (OST) contexts is on the rise, exacerbated by the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this escalation, recent literature has explored MESH concerns impacting youth program participants and young adult staff. This study focuses on participant and staff MESH issues within summer camps and the healthcare practices implemented by program providers to address those issues. Our four research questions are: (1) What are the characteristics of camper and staff MESH issues?; (2) What are characteristics of MESH medications managed in camps?; (3) How are camp providers preparing staff for camper MESH care?; and (4) How are camp providers responding to staff MESH care needs? Findings highlight prevalent MESH issues facing youth and young adult staff and program preparedness. Notably, our study affirmed that the most prevalent MESH issues facing youth and young adult staff are anxiety, ADHD, depression, and emotional regulation. Study findings also indicated that while many camps engage in pre-camp MESH trainings, a limited number revisit MESH topics during the summer work period. Collectively, these results offer key insights into camp providers' experiences with youth and young adult staff MESH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 02739615 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02739615.2024.2410198 |
