Citation

Mortazavi R, Grudin R, Jarbin H, Larsson I. SAGE Open Med. 2024; 12: e20503121231225340.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/20503121231225340

PMID

38313468

PMCID

PMC10838026

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Depression is increasing and is a leading cause of disease burden among adolescents. Available evidence-based treatments with medication or psychotherapy have modest effects. Aerobic exercise is a hopeful alternative as an augmenter or a stand-alone treatment. Qualitative studies have shown that participants in group exercise for adolescent depression experienced improved mood and a sense of achievement, commitment and empowerment. This study aimed to explore not only adolescents' but also parents' and healthcare professionals' experiences of a group exercise intervention for adolescents with depression.

METHODS: Nine adolescents who had participated in a group aerobic exercise intervention for 12 weeks, eight parents and two healthcare professionals were interviewed. We used a latent qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach that resulted in nine sub-categories, three categories and an overarching theme.

RESULTS: The experiences of a group exercise intervention for adolescents with depression were expressed in the overarching theme 'Group exercise for adolescent depression promotes empowerment and engagement in everyday life', based on three categories: exercise alleviates depressive symptoms, exercise contributes to balance in life and exercise promotes self-esteem. However, there was variation in our results, in that not all participants experienced improvements from exercising. Adolescents described more varied experiences, while parents and healthcare professionals mainly expressed positive views.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that group exercise for adolescent depression promotes empowerment and engagement in everyday life, according to adolescents, and more clearly so according to parents and healthcare professionals.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; aerobic; depression; exercise; multiple perspectives; qualitative research