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Empowering Change: Uniting Physical Activity and Psychosocial Support for At-Risk Girls

Empowering Change: Uniting Physical Activity and Psychosocial Support for At-Risk Girls

Introduction

Adolescence is a critical period for developing lifelong habits and self-perceptions. For at-risk adolescent girls, negative self-perceptions can significantly hinder physical activity (PA) participation, leading to various health issues. The research article "Exploring the Effectiveness of an Integrated Physical Activity and Psychosocial Program Targeting At-Risk Adolescent Girls: Protocol for the Girls United and on the Move (GUM) Intervention Study" presents a promising approach to addressing these challenges.

The GUM Intervention: A Holistic Approach

The GUM intervention integrates PA with psychosocial support to improve self-compassion, social connectedness, and overall self-perceptions among at-risk adolescent girls. Conducted in five schools in British Columbia, Canada, this 9-week program involved 101 participants aged 11 to 15 years. The intervention was co-delivered by a PA/health promotion–trained researcher and a registered social worker, focusing on evidence-based topics relevant to the participants.

Key Outcomes and Measurements

The GUM intervention evaluated several outcomes:

Program acceptability and satisfaction were also examined through semistructured interviews with a subsample of participants.

Implications for Practitioners

The GUM intervention highlights the importance of a supportive environment in enhancing physical and mental health outcomes for at-risk adolescent girls. Practitioners can draw from this study to:

By understanding the GUM intervention's framework, practitioners can better tailor their approaches to meet the unique needs of at-risk populations.

Encouraging Further Research

The GUM study provides a foundation for future research into integrated interventions for at-risk adolescents. Researchers are encouraged to explore:

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Exploring the Effectiveness of an Integrated Physical Activity and Psychosocial Program Targeting At-Risk Adolescent Girls: Protocol for the Girls United and on the Move (GUM) Intervention Study.


Citation: Eysenbach, G., Ng, K., Sharp, L., Schoenberger, Y. M., Caperchione, C. M., Hargreaves, N., Sabiston, C. M., Berg, S., Kowalski, K. C., & Ferguson, L. J. (2020). Exploring the effectiveness of an integrated physical activity and psychosocial program targeting at-risk adolescent girls: Protocol for the Girls United and on the Move (GUM) intervention study. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(6), e15302. https://doi.org/10.2196/15302
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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