Happiness outcomes among cadet women backpackers

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.