Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Barry Linden

Abstract

Depression and anxiety disorders are two of the most frequently reported mental healthproblems for adolescents entering Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs). Many adolescents in RTCs also have a higher rate of traumatic experiences than their peers. Traumatized children frequently develop mental illness disorders of depression and anxiety. Based on the theoretical foundations provided by attachment theory and social cognitive theory, this pilot study, using secondary data, observed the relationship between exercise participation, depression, trauma, and anxiety for 11 youth in an upper Midwest RTC. Adolescents with higher initial depression and anxiety scores tended to exercise less during RTC than those with lower scores. Depression (r = -.34, n = 11, p = .31), anxiety (r = -.34, n = 11, p = .31), and trauma (r = -.08, n = 11, p = .83) levels were negatively correlated with exercise participation, although results were not statistically significant. The pilot study also investigated the effects of exercise on depression and anxiety change scores for youth in RTC. However, exercise levels had no significant effect on depression and anxiety change scores for adolescents. The results of this pilot study provide insight into a larger-scale study of same variables in the future. Positive social change implications include at the individual level for adolescents and their families, as well as at the program level, where low-cost and efficacious exercise intervention can provide improvements in programming while adhering to budget guidelines.

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