ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH26
Drug addiction is a complex and dangerous social phenomenon that is influenced by various factors, including the environment and social structure. Important factors in the development of addiction are social learning, social control, and failure. For this reason, punitive and rehabilitation measures are not successful until these issues are addressed [1]. Positive psychology has focused on identifying factors that contribute to mental health. This approach aims to teach people how to live a satisfying life. Psychotherapeutic interventions improve psychological well-being by promoting positive behaviors [2]. In many countries, there are no anti-addiction programs specifically for women. Research indicates that sports activities can effectively treat addiction at a low cost. Aerobic exercise boosts dopamine production, which may help reduce opioid dependence and promote positive physical and psychological changes by increasing endogenous opioids. Regular aerobic exercise can lower blood pressure, blood glucose, body weight, and insulin resistance and improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels [3]. This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of exercise and positive psychotherapy for improving the personal and social health of addicted women. In a quasi-experimental research project, 60 heroin-addicted women with a mean age of 30 ± 5 years from an addiction treatment camp in Iran (Shiraz) were voluntarily selected and randomly divided into four groups (15 women in each group): exercise, exercise and psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and control. The exercise group performed resistance training at 40–70% of 1RM for 20–30 minutes and aerobic training at 50–70% of maximum heart rate for 15–30 minutes, three sessions per week for eight weeks. The psychotherapy group met with a psychologist three times a week for 1 hour for 8 weeks. The craving questionnaire was measured before and after the exercise and psychotherapy protocol to assess changes. The study results showed that cravings were significantly reduced in the exercise and exercise + psychotherapy groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). According to the results, both the exercise and exercise + psychotherapy groups experienced a significant reduction in cravings compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was observed in the psychotherapy-alone group. The combination of exercise and psychotherapy may improve the health and well-being of women with addiction and reduce associated social risks. 1. Mina, F. Factors That Influence Drug Addiction: An Analysis of Tokhang Surrenderees Institution-Based Rehabilitation. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research. 2022 2. Carr, A., Cullen, K., Keeney, C., Canning, C., Mooney, O., Chinseallaigh, E., & O’Dowd, A. Effectiveness of positive psychology interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 2020; 16. 3. Patterson, M., Spadine, M., Boswell, T., Prochnow, T., Amo, C., Francis, A., Russell, A., & Heinrich, K. Exercise in the Treatment of Addiction: A Systematic Literature Review. Health Education & Behavior. 2022; 49.
Read CV Maryam ZarifkarECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH26
Background: Despite the well-recognized benefits of running, ultramarathoners exhibit a higher risk of developing various maladaptive outcomes due to psychological factors such as strong motivation for running, a high tolerance for extreme activities, and difficulty adhering to recovery recommendations. Among ultramarathoners, the prevalence of mental health problems is high, including exercise addiction (18.2%), eating disorders (62.5%), sleep disturbances (24.5%), anxiety (12.8%), and depression (18.6%). These disorders rarely occur in isolation, and their coexistence highlights that they interact as a network, playing roles as triggers or amplifiers of each other's symptoms. Purpose: To examine the dynamic association between mental health problems in ultramarathoners runners of both sexes, and to identify which disorder is the trigger point for the development of other mental health issues. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and web-based study. For data collection, we followed the International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1, including screening for anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), sleep disorder (ASBQ), and additionally about exercise addiction (EAI). Sex, age, body mass, height (to calculate body mass index - BMI), training frequency/week, and competitive level were also obtained. The questionnaire was disseminated through social media, participating race organizers, and running-related platforms. Network analysis was conducted to examine the association between variables, presenting centrality indicators (betweenness and expected influence) for women and men. JASP 0.18.3.0 software was used, and bootstrapping of 1000 resampling was performed. The study was approved by the ethical committee. Results: We sampled 495 ultramarathoners (44.5±8.9 years; 77.3% male) from the five Brazilian macro-regions. For both sexes, the competitive level, age, and training frequency/week were not related to mental disorders. Strong connections were observed between screening positive for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and exercise addiction. For women, anxiety (betweenness: 2.47; expected influence: 1.67) was the most central variable in the network, while depression (betweenness: 1.75) and anxiety (expected influence: 1.34) presented the strongest influence for men. These results indicate that both variables can work as trigger variables to connect other disorders within the systems investigated. Bootstrap results demonstrated a good fit to the observed data, especially among men. Conclusion: Anxiety appears to be a primary trigger in the symptom network for both sexes. Preventive strategies should consider screening and monitoring signs of anxiety and depression that may have an impact on other mental health conditions.
Read CV Mabliny ThuanyECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH26
Introduction Running for Resilience (R4R) is a series of community physical activity events designed to promote mental health and suicide prevention in Canberra, Australia. Although such initiatives are increasing, empirical evidence on participant experiences remains limited. R4R is a registered charity and appears to have successfully established a physical activity community, which has grown rapidly since its foundation (see runningforresilience.com). This study investigates how participants experience R4R and how these experiences relate to perceived benefits, with the aim of informing the implementation of similar initiatives in other settings. Methods Semi-structured interviews with twenty-five R4R participants allowed for the collection of data that provides a rich understanding of the R4R context. An interview guide was developed to reflect the research objectives. The interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams and lasted 30-60 minutes. Deidentified interview transcripts were uploaded to NVivo. Reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2019) of the interview transcripts allowed for the identification of patterns in participants’ motives, involvement, experiences, and perceived benefits of R4R. Results Findings indicate that while physical activity goals may have initially motivated participation, continued engagement was primarily driven by social and psychological factors. The research data have indicated that ongoing social connection, group identity, and permission to share mental health challenges with others have been key factors for ongoing engagement and improved mental wellbeing. Participants reported that they identified themselves as part of the R4R group and valued R4R’s inherent purpose and meaning. The perceived purpose may facilitate individual attachment to R4R in contrast to other group-based physical activity initiatives such as Park Run. The consistency of the weekly events has been repeatedly observed as a valued feature of R4R with many participants upholding R4R as an escape from other work or school responsibilities. Conclusions This research enhances understanding of how community-based physical activity events can support mental health through mechanisms beyond exercise alone. Insights inform recommendations to refine, expand, and promote R4R’s delivery in Australia. Future research should focus on specific participant cohorts and incorporate longitudinal quantitative measures to build on these findings. References Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589-597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806 Running for Resilience (R4R), runningforresilience.com
Read CV Annaleise NaylorECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH26