Operation Growth: The Impact of Heroes on the Water Kayak Fishing on Posttraumatic Growth in U.S. Military Veterans

Abstract

Heroes on the Water is a nonprofit organization providing kayak fishing programs to veterans and their families. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact kayak fishing programs, provided by Heroes on the Water, had on posttraumatic growth in military veterans in the United States. The concept of posttraumatic growth suggests that individuals may experience positive psychological changes after severe traumatic events. Research suggests posttraumatic growth can occur in the form of recognizing personal strengths, new possibilities, relating to others, an appreciation for life, and spiritual changes. Studies also suggest that recreation can aid in facilitation of growth. Additionally, recreation has been considered a complementary form of treatment for veterans, specifically the use of nature-based and outdoor recreation programs. For this study, participants reflected on their experiences before and after engaging in Heroes on the Water using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Though the results cannot be generalized, participants reported an increase in score after participating in Heroes on the Water kayak fishing programs. This study adds to the knowledge about the use of recreation to facilitate growth in veterans and encourages continued research on this topic.