Scouts and girl guides have better mental health late in life due to emphasis on self-reliance and teamwork
Those who joined the youth organisations were significantly less likely to experience anxiety or mood disorders aged 50
SCOUTS and girl guides are less likely to suffer mental illness in later life, a study suggests.
People who joined the organisations in their youth were 15 per cent less likely to experience anxiety or mood disorders aged 50.
And kids from poor families, who are usually at higher risk of developing mental illness in middle age, benefited the most.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow analysed data on 9,603 people born in the UK in November 1958. Of these, 28 per cent had participated in the scouts or guides.
Around 210 per 1,000 former members went on to develop mental health issues, compared with 250 per 1,000 of those who had never attended.
Researchers say their findings suggest programmes that help children develop self-reliance and teamwork – and encourage being active outdoors – may have lifelong benefits.
Girlguiding and scouting could also be used to reduce social divides.
Experts believe the groups’ regular activities, such as building fires, cooking and map reading, help build resilience against common stresses in life.
And the character-building tasks are credited with increasing a person’s chances of achieving more in life, meaning they are less likely to experience such strains.
Lead researcher Professor Chris Dibben, from the University of Edinburgh, said: “It is quite startling that this benefit is found in people so many years after they have attended guides or scouts.
“We expect the same principles would apply to the scouts and guides of today and so, given the high costs of mental ill health to individuals and society, a focus on voluntary youth programmes such as the guides and scouts might be very sensible.”
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout of the Scout Association, said: “I am really proud that scouting provides young people with an opportunity to develop the skills they need to be resilient and deal with what life throws at them.
“The Scout Association is helping give young people the ability to develop mental wellbeing throughout their lives.”
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Emma Brodey, 18, a member of the Girlguiding Advocate Panel, said: “Girlguiding offers a safe space where girls can be themselves, build their confidence and escape from the ever-increasing pressures in their lives.
“Women tell us every week that their accomplishments and memories through Guiding have lasted throughout their lives, so it’s amazing to see research showing the long-term benefits of being a member of Girlguiding.”