Kick-starting youth wellbeing and access to mental health care: Efficacy of an integrated model of care within a junior sports development program

In this study, mental health and wellbeing outcomes were compared in participants who did (RISE, N = 94) and did not (Comparison, N = 82) receive the RISE/Life-Fit-Learning program. RISE players reported their self-satisfaction, grit, gratitude, prosocial behaviour, anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems using the Life-Fit System pre- and post-program. Comparison participants completed measures twice, 6-months apart. Self-satisfaction did not change in RISE participants but declined among comparison participants. In both groups, 26% of players scored in the high-risk range on at least one mental health measure. On mental health measures, high-risk RISE players' depression and behavioural problems improved from pre-to post-program relative to no change among Comparison players. Among participants who were not high-risk, RISE players' anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems did not change whereas Comparison players' behavioural problems increased significantly. Results underscore the value of integrating strengths-based interventions and targeting youth mental health problems within the context of junior sports development programs.PMID:35952393 | DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2022.104166

Source: Behaviour Research and Therapy - August 11, 2022 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Allison M Waters Rachel A Sluis Wayne Usher Lara J Farrell Caroline L Donovan Kathryn L Modecki Melanie J Zimmer-Gembeck Mike Castle James Hinchey Source Type: research