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Description: Purpose: Self-concept change has been proposed as a key driver of behavioral change through adventure therapy (Hans, 2000). Through exploratory moderator analysis we tried to identify process variables that influence the effect of adventure therapy on self-concept to contribute to a deeper understanding of why and when adventure therapy works. Methods: This meta-analysis includes thirty studies (53 effect sizes, 1802 subjects) that report effects of adventure therapy programs on three constructs concerning self-concept: locus of control, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Participants were either at risk or in treatment for behavioral or mental health issues. Results: Short-term effect sizes of the impact of adventure therapy on self-concept were moderate for both uncontrolled effects (g = 0.51) and controlled effects (g = 0.56). There was no evidence for a difference between the effects on locus of control, self-efficacy or self-esteem. The revealed high heterogeneity of effect sizes could not be explained by any of the examined moderating variables. The follow-up effects confirmed a lasting self-concept change. No publication bias was found, but limitations and alternative explanations of the results are discussed. Conclusions: Future research needs to focus on psychological processes involved in adventure therapy and strive towards high methodological quality.