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National Survey Studying the Psychosocial Benefits of Residential Camp on Craniofacial Patients
Donald Harvey, MD; Jonathon W Wanta; Irene Link, MSSA, LSW; Gregory Lakin, MD
University CWRU
2016-02-16
Presenter: Donald Harvey (DJ)
Affidavit:
All work is original and performed by the authors and presenter.
Director Name: Hooman Soltanian MD
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Craniomaxillofacial
Introduction
A strong sense of resilience allows children with craniofacial disorders to overcome low self-esteem, difficulty making friends, problems in school, and other psychosocial detriments. There is no published data linking a craniofacial summer camp experience with psychosocial benefit. We assessed the psychosocial benefits of a one-week residential camp on children between the ages of 8 and 16 with craniofacial abnormalities.
Methods
Psychosocial quality of life, resiliency, and relationship skills were assessed one month before camp with a short questionnaire. Similar surveys were administered one month after camp. This study was conducted at 4 locations: Flying Horse Farms in Mt Gilead, OH; Camp Korey in Carnation, WA; Victory Junction in Randleman, NC; and Camp Montgomery in Starke, FL.
Results
30 campers completed the pre-camp survey: 16 from Flying Horse Farms, 5 from Camp Korey, 8 from Victory Junction, and 1 from Camp Montgomery. Response rate for the post-camp survey was 33%. All campers made new friends. Campers are more comfortable asking for help and sharing feelings with their friends from camp. Campers expressed more confidence in their ability to make up with friends and after a fight however they continued to report getting upset after conflicts.
Conclusions
Campers report no significant change in overall happiness. Campers however do gain friendships at residential camps with other children of similar diagnoses that are unique from friendships at home. While the campers can make up with friends after a fight, they do not necessarily improve their emotion control showing no improvement in resilience.
