EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS ON RECIPIENTS’ SELF-ESTEEM AND READINESS FOR SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING: AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growth in the number of religious short-term overseas volunteer trips, also known as short-term mission trips (STMs) (Howell & Dorr, 2007). With this expansion of STMs, there have been debates over their effects on recipients but limited scientific research. This study adds to the literature by using a mission trip as a case study and quantitatively measuring its effects on two domains – self-esteem and readiness for self-directed learning (RSDL). Recipients’ self-esteem and RSDL were measured 1 day before the trip, 1 day after the trip, and 5 months after the trip. Their scores were compared across timepoints, and with a control group. It was hypothesized that STM recipients would experience an increase in self-esteem and RSDL such that their scores would be higher than the control group after the STM. Results provided partial support for the hypotheses, as while STM recipients had higher self-esteem and RSDL than the control group after the STM, changes among recipients were either not significant (for self-esteem) or not long-lasting (for RSDL). Suggestions to promote greater and longer-lasting effects are offered. Directions for further research to extend the findings of this exploratory case study are also discussed.