The Effect of a Scouting-Based Program on Mental Toughness and the Learning of Selected Skills in the Advanced Scout Stage

Abstract

The significance of this study lies in exploring the impact of the advanced scout curriculum on the development of psychological hardiness and the acquisition of specific scouting skills. It aims to provide a scientific framework that enables the use of scouting methods to support mental health and social adjustment. The study also contributes to offering educational and practical solutions to mitigate the negative effects of psychological stress, making it valuable for a wide range of sectors, including educational institutions, scout troops, and youth leadership training programs, The study aimed to identify the effect of the advanced scout curriculum on psychological hardiness and the learning of scouting skills specific to the advanced scout stage. The researcher employed the experimental method using a one-group pretest-posttest design, which was suitable for the nature and objectives of the study. The research population was deliberately selected from the central scouting troops for the advanced scout stage in the Directorate of Education in Diyala Governorate. The research sample was randomly selected from one of the scout troops, consisting of 28 scouts. After excluding 4 scouts due to lack of commitment and another 4 who participated in the pilot study, the final sample included 20 scouts, The field procedures included conducting experiments and tests that measured psychological hardiness and scouting skills specific to the advanced scout stage, including: the tent-pitching test (external setup), the peg knot test, the flagpole test, and the footstep awareness game (running between squares), The specialized curriculum, designed by the Ministry of Education / General Directorate of Sports and School Activities for the advanced scout stage, was implemented over a period of thirteen weeks, from September 29, 2024, to December 26, 2024, at the rate of one instructional unit per week, Based on the results obtained, the study revealed that the applied curriculum significantly contributed to enhancing the participants' psychological hardiness, indicating its ability to develop emotional and cognitive aspects related to psychological adjustment, stress tolerance, and self-control in challenging and high-pressure environments. Moreover, the results showed a noticeable improvement in the participants’ performance in scouting skills, reflecting the curriculum’s effectiveness in linking theory with practice, and in enhancing planning, implementation, and evaluation skills in real field situations, The researcher recommends integrating this curriculum into official scouting training plans, along with providing an appropriate training environment and qualified human resources for its implementation. Additionally, the study recommends developing comprehensive training programs focused on strengthening psychological skills.