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Joy of living through exercise - a qualitative study of clinically referred adolescents’ experiences of moderate to vigorous exercise as treatment for depression

Serrander, Maria ; Bremander, Ann LU ; Jarbin, Håkan LU and Larsson, Ingrid LU orcid (2021) In Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 75(8). p.574-581
Abstract

Aim: Depression is common and rising in adolescents. Recent meta-analyses indicate a moderate effect of exercise on depression symptoms. Clinically referred adolescents and their experiences of an exercise intervention have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to describe clinically referred adolescents’ experience of moderate to vigorous exercise as a treatment for depression. Methods: A total of 16 clinically referred adolescents with persistent major depression, who had taken part in a 14-week aerobic exercise intervention of moderate to vigorous intensity, were interviewed. Data was analysed by latent qualitative content analysis. Results: After taking part in the exercise intervention the adolescents expressed enhanced... (More)

Aim: Depression is common and rising in adolescents. Recent meta-analyses indicate a moderate effect of exercise on depression symptoms. Clinically referred adolescents and their experiences of an exercise intervention have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to describe clinically referred adolescents’ experience of moderate to vigorous exercise as a treatment for depression. Methods: A total of 16 clinically referred adolescents with persistent major depression, who had taken part in a 14-week aerobic exercise intervention of moderate to vigorous intensity, were interviewed. Data was analysed by latent qualitative content analysis. Results: After taking part in the exercise intervention the adolescents expressed enhanced participation in daily life and joy of living by demonstrating commitment and a sense of empowerment. The categories contained both improved vitality and structure of everyday life as well as improved self-esteem and self-control. Participation in the exercise intervention changed their self-image, relationships, school performance, and family life. The adolescents highlighted that exercising in a group was beneficial, giving security and structure. Conclusions: Adolescents with persistent depression experienced several beneficial aspects of participating in an aerobic group exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Adolescents, exercise intervention, persistent depression, qualitative interview
in
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
volume
75
issue
8
pages
574 - 581
publisher
Informa Healthcare
external identifiers
  • pmid:33884944
  • scopus:85104723568
ISSN
0803-9488
DOI
10.1080/08039488.2021.1909128
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
acae30fc-be1a-4d2d-9120-186ac0f33d5e
date added to LUP
2021-05-18 17:39:11
date last changed
2024-04-06 03:45:11
@article{acae30fc-be1a-4d2d-9120-186ac0f33d5e,
  abstract     = {{<p>Aim: Depression is common and rising in adolescents. Recent meta-analyses indicate a moderate effect of exercise on depression symptoms. Clinically referred adolescents and their experiences of an exercise intervention have rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to describe clinically referred adolescents’ experience of moderate to vigorous exercise as a treatment for depression. Methods: A total of 16 clinically referred adolescents with persistent major depression, who had taken part in a 14-week aerobic exercise intervention of moderate to vigorous intensity, were interviewed. Data was analysed by latent qualitative content analysis. Results: After taking part in the exercise intervention the adolescents expressed enhanced participation in daily life and joy of living by demonstrating commitment and a sense of empowerment. The categories contained both improved vitality and structure of everyday life as well as improved self-esteem and self-control. Participation in the exercise intervention changed their self-image, relationships, school performance, and family life. The adolescents highlighted that exercising in a group was beneficial, giving security and structure. Conclusions: Adolescents with persistent depression experienced several beneficial aspects of participating in an aerobic group exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity.</p>}},
  author       = {{Serrander, Maria and Bremander, Ann and Jarbin, Håkan and Larsson, Ingrid}},
  issn         = {{0803-9488}},
  keywords     = {{Adolescents; exercise intervention; persistent depression; qualitative interview}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{8}},
  pages        = {{574--581}},
  publisher    = {{Informa Healthcare}},
  series       = {{Nordic Journal of Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{Joy of living through exercise - a qualitative study of clinically referred adolescents’ experiences of moderate to vigorous exercise as treatment for depression}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2021.1909128}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/08039488.2021.1909128}},
  volume       = {{75}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}