Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T11:40:59.875Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Delivery and evaluation of the ‘Ride.Life’ mountainboarding program for rural adolescent males

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Evan Kemp ,
Candice P. Boyd ,
Damon Aisbett ,
Lisa Harvie  and
Kirra Caldwell
Evan Kemp
Affiliation:
Rural Adolescent Mental Health Group, Centre for Health Research and Practice, University of Ballarat
Candice P. Boyd
Affiliation:
Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne Email: [email protected]
Damon Aisbett
Affiliation:
Rural Adolescent Mental Health Group, Centre for Health Research and Practice, University of Ballarat
Lisa Harvie
Affiliation:
Rural Adolescent Mental Health Group, Centre for Health Research and Practice, University of Ballarat
Kirra Caldwell
Affiliation:
Rural Adolescent Mental Health Group, Centre for Health Research and Practice, University of Ballarat
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The present study provided rural adolescent males who might otherwise not seek professional psychological help with an innovative program, based on physical activity, which would link them into a wider sporting community. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in bringing about improvements in various areas of participants' mental health.

Participants were ten males ranging in age from 15 to 18 years residing in and around the Ballarat area. They were recruited in consultation with the coordinator of the YouthTracks @ TAFE program at the University of Ballarat and were identified as being at-risk of developing mental health problems. Results suggested that participation in the program contributed to statistically significant improvements in some aspects of the participants' mental health. Furthermore, participants reported an enjoyment of mountainboarding and described the difference the program has made to their lives. Findings of this study provide preliminary support for the mental health and social gains potentially obtained when rural youth are engaged in an innovative and enjoyable physical activity program.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 34 , Issue 3 , 2009 , pp. 38 - 45
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Antonovsky, A. (1984) ‘A call for a new question – salutogenesis – and a proposed answer – the sense of coherence’, Journal of Preventative Psychiatry, 2, 1–7.Google Scholar
Antonovsky, A. & Sourani, T. (1988) ‘Family sense of coherence and family adaptation’, Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 79–92.Google Scholar
Antony, M.M., Bieling, P.J., Cox, B.J., Enns, M.W. & Swinson, R.P. (1998) ‘Psychometric properties of the 42-item and 21 -item versions of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in clinical groups and a community sample’, Psychological Assessment, 10, 176–181.Google Scholar
Bartko, W.T. & Eccles, J.S. (2003) ‘Adolescent participation in structured and unstructured activities: A person-oriented analysis’, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32, 233–241.Google Scholar
Boyd, C.P., Aisbett, D.L., Francis, K., Kelly, M., Newnham, K. & Newnham, K. (2006) Issues in rural adolescent mental health in Australia, viewed 10 June 2007, <http://rrh.deakin.edu.au>.Google Scholar
Cicchetti, D. & Rogosch, F.A. (2002) ‘A developmental psychopathological perspective on adolescence’, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 6–20.Google Scholar
Cummins, R.A. (1997) ‘Comprehensive quality of life scale – adult’, School of Psychology, 5th edn, Deakin University, Australia.Google Scholar
Department of Health and Ageing (1999) Eligibility for Funding: Viability Funding – 1999 ARIA Scores for Locations, viewed 17 October 2007, <http://www.healthconnect.gov.au/intemet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/ageing-rescare-rescprov-aria.htm>..>Google Scholar
Donaldson, S.J. & Ronan, K.R. (2006) “The effects of sports participation on young adolescents' emotional well-being’, Adolescence, 41, 369–389.Google Scholar
Feldt, T., Leskinen, E. & Kinnunen, U. (2005) ‘Structural invariance and stability of sense of coherence: A longitudinal analysis of two groups with different employment experiences’, Work and Stress, 19, 68–83.Google Scholar
GISCA (2002) Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA), viewed 14 October 2007, <http://www.gisca.adelaide.edu.au/web_aria/aria/aria.html>..>Google Scholar
Hagerty, B.M., Williams, R.A., Coyne, J.C. & Early, M.R. (1996) ‘Sense of belonging and indicators of social and psychological functioning’, Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 10, 235–244.Google Scholar
Lee, R.M., Draper, M. & Lee, S. (2001) ‘Social connectedness, dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress: Testing a mediator model’, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 310–318.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, R.M. & Robbins, S.B. (1998) ‘The relationship between social connectedness and anxiety, self-esteem, and social identity’, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 338–345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moon, L., Meyer, P. & Grau, J. (1999) Australia's young people: Their health and wellbeing 1999, viewed 14 June 2007, <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/5080>.Google Scholar
Scully, D., Kremer, J., Meade, M.M., Graham, R. & Dudgeon, K. (1998) ‘Physical exercise and psychological well being: A critical review’, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 32, 111–120.Google Scholar
Sport England (n.d.) Chapter 1 The region, South West Sports Plan, viewed 9 November 2007, <http://www.sportengland.org/sw_regional_plan_ch1_the_region.pdf>..>Google Scholar
West Somerset Council (2004) ‘More youngsters to experience Moor this summer’, media release, 24 June, viewed 9 November 2007, <http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/media_detail.asp?id=37&area=5>>Google Scholar
Williams, K.L. & Galliher, R.V. (2006) ‘Predicting depression and self-esteem from social connectedness, support, and competence’, Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25, 855–874.Google Scholar