Promoting Physical Activity and Peer Relationships in Adolescent Girls Through a Summer Program

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health and Development
• Social Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Peer interactions significantly influence adolescent physical activity (PA) and mental health.
• Social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for adolescent development and well-being.
• Integrated interventions may offer a holistic approach to adolescent health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the EmpowerHER pilot intervention, integrating PA and SEL.
• To examine changes in adolescent girls' PA levels and friendship networks.
• To understand the ripple effects of the intervention on socioemotional well-being.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 47 adolescents (ages 10-14) in an 8-week summer care program.
• Objective PA measurement using accelerometers and self-report surveys on psychological distress and social connectedness.
• Stochastic actor-oriented modeling (SIENA) to analyze selection and influence processes in PA and socioemotional well-being.

Main Results:

• Girls in the EmpowerHER program showed significant increases in PA levels and friendship connections.
• Higher social connectedness correlated with elevated PA and more friendship connections.
• The overall sample demonstrated significant improvements in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and friendship connections.

Conclusions:

• The EmpowerHER intervention demonstrated preliminary efficacy in improving adolescent girls' PA and peer dynamics.
• Integrated PA and SEL programs delivered through summer care settings show potential for positive health outcomes.
• Holistic interventions addressing multiple aspects of adolescent health simultaneously are promising.