Relationship Between Camp Attendance and Self-Perceptions in Children With Chronic Health Conditions: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis examined the association between camp attendance and changes in self-perceptions in children with chronic health conditions. METHODS: Studies using quantitative methods to assess changes in self-perceptions while attending camps designed for children with chronic health conditions were included in analyses. A random-effects model was used, and Cohen's d was used to calculate effect sizes at both post-camp and follow-up. Some potential moderators of effects were examined (i.e., type of measure of self-perceptions, children's chronic health condition, camp components). RESULTS: 31 studies were included in the analyses. Children experienced small, but statistically significant, improvements in self-perceptions at both post-camp (d = .25, 95% CI [.16-.34]) and extended follow-up (d = .15, 95% CI [.05-.26]). This relationship was moderated by type of measure of self-perceptions and child health condition. CONCLUSIONS: Camp attendance is associated with small improvements in self-perceptions for children with some chronic health conditions.

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