Girls United on the Move: A Unique Integrated Physical Activity and Psychosocial Program for At-risk Adolescent Girls

Overview

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 9-week psycho-social and physical activity program aimed at improving body image, physical self-perceptions, and self-compassion for at-risk adolescent girls. In collaboration with the Elizabeth Fry Society, the GUM program will be delivered to at-risk adolescent girls within the Okanagan Region. Information will be gathered concerning program content and delivery, as well as insights into the participants' experiences with the program. These results will provide much needed information about whether programs integrating psychological, social, and physical components of health are beneficial for this population.

Body dissatisfaction increases throughout adolescence; strong associations have been established between body image emotions and negative self--perceptions, reduced self-compassion, low self- esteem, and depression in adolescent girls. This is heightened in at--risk adolescent girls, including those of low socioeconomic status, who have experienced abuse and who have limited social support. As such, unique strategies aimed at reducing negative self--perceptions of one's physical self and improving self- compassion among at--risk adolescent girls are needed. Engagement in physical activity is one way in which adolescent girls may experience positive self--perceptions, enhanced body image emotions, and increased self--compassion, yet the research has primarily focused on girls who are already involved in organized physical activities (i.e., athletes). To address this need, the research team and representatives from the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society, a National charitable organisation dedicated to advancing the safety, legal rights, and economic security of women and children, have co--created the unique 9- week Girls United and on the Move (GUM) integrated program (psycho-social and physical activity) to improve physical self--perception, body image, and self--compassion among at--risk adolescent girls living in the Okanagan Region of British Columbia. This is particularly important in the Okanagan where there is a high number of adolescent girls from low income, abusive households, with many facing sexual exploitation and extreme despair, compared to other adolescent girls in British Columbia. Thus, the current aim is to implement and undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the program's effectiveness in terms of physical self--perceptions, body image, self--compassion, and commitment to and enjoyment of physical activity, in order to refine and deliver the program more widely. This 9- week, integrated program will be implemented in up to 8 middle schools throughout the Okanagan. It includes a 1.5 hour, weekly session held at local schools and facilitated by a trained researcher and registered social worker. These sessions include psycho-social components (e.g., understanding healthy relationships, building self--confidence) in addition to engaging in various physical activities (e.g., soccer, dance, and martial arts). At--risk adolescent girls from the participating schools will be identified and recruited by school counsellors. Each school group will include 10- to 12 participants, yielding a total sample of approximately 80-100.