Young People's Perspectives on Integrating Physical Activity Interventions into Youth Substance Use Treatment Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Victoria University have conducted a mixed-methods study to investigate the predictors and correlates of treatment acceptability of physical activity (PA) interventions as part of substance use treatment for young people aged 16-25 years. The study found that physical activity levels and psychological distress predict perceived barriers to PA in young people with problematic substance use. Additionally, the research revealed that PA barriers predict treatment acceptability of PA interventions, emphasizing the importance of integrating young people's perspectives into PA intervention research to inform treatment decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 145 young people aged 16-25 years with problematic substance use who completed an online survey on substance use, PA engagement, treatment acceptability, and perceived barriers and benefits of PA.
  • The quantitative data were analyzed using data mining and modeling approaches, while the qualitative data from a subsequent focus group were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
  • Generalized additive modeling identified perceived PA barriers as a predictor of treatment acceptability, with a statistically significant effect (p < .001).
  • Decision tree analyses confirmed that lower psychological distress (1st partition, p = .005) and higher PA levels (2nd partition, p = .01) were significant predictors of treatment acceptability.
  • The study highlights the importance of integrating young people's perspectives into PA intervention research to inform treatment decisions and increase behavior change, motivation, engagement, and positive feelings in young people participating in PA interventions within substance use treatment.
  • The research was conducted by Lisa Klamert and colleagues, including Melinda Craike, Gillinder Bedi, Susan Kidd, Alice Sweeting, and Alexandra G. Parker, at Victoria University's Institute for Health and Sport.

Statistics:

  • 145 young people participated in the study, with 145 completions (100%) in the online survey.
  • The study involved 4 participants in a subsequent semi-structured focus group.
  • The research found a statistically significant effect (p < .001) between perceived PA barriers and treatment acceptability.
  • The study confirmed a significant relationship between lower psychological distress (p = .005) and higher PA levels (p = .01) with treatment acceptability.

Sources:

  • Klamert, L., et al. (2025). Young people's perspectives on integrating physical activity interventions into youth substance use treatment practice: a mixed-methods study. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 20(1), 1-13.

(Addiction Science & Clinical Practice - http://ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com)