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Exercise for adolescents with depression: valued aspects and perceived change.
T Carter1, I Morres2, J Repper1
1School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Engaging in preferred intensity exercise interventions can improve mood and enjoyment for adolescents with depression. These activities offer benefits beyond just reducing depressive symptoms, enhancing overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health
- Exercise science
- Qualitative research
Background:
- Systematic reviews indicate exercise participation is linked to reduced depressive symptoms in youth.
- Limited qualitative research exists on depressed adolescents' experiences with exercise interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of adolescents diagnosed with depression who participated in a preferred intensity exercise program.
- To understand the subjective benefits and challenges associated with exercise interventions for this population.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 26 adolescents undergoing depression treatment.
- Participants were purposefully sampled after engaging in a preferred intensity exercise intervention.
- Thematic analysis was employed to interpret interview data.
Main Results:
- Adolescents reported numerous positive changes and valued specific aspects of the exercise intervention.
- Key themes included improved mood, increased enjoyment, and a sense of achievement.
- Benefits extended beyond the reduction of depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Preferred intensity exercise interventions can foster improved mood, enjoyment, and achievement in adolescents with depression.
- Exercise offers benefits that surpass the mere reduction of depressive symptoms.
- Findings provide valuable insights for mental health nurses promoting exercise for adolescent depression.
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