Honors Program Theses
Award/Availability
Open Access Honors Program Thesis
First Advisor
Windee Weiss
Keywords
Post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescence--Treatment; Exercise for youth--Psychological aspects;
Abstract
This project will focus on the effects of exercise and sport on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can be debilitating to those who suffer, and incredibly confusing when children are involved. Feelings of rage, anger, depression and anxiety can render individuals incapable of normal day-to-day activities. Traditional treatment options offer individual and group therapy in which the patients simply share their feelings and experiences. Although there have been a vast number of studies and texts published on PTSD sufferers using treatment based on psychotherapy, there has been little done to document effects of exercise and physical activity on PTSD. Despite lacking data, it is possible to use physical activity to treat symptoms which have been researched separately from PTSD. Studies used to understand the significance of exercise on depression and anxiety can cross over to PTSD, while activities which are used in sport psychology to increase self-confidence can help individuals overcome fear and loss of control.
Information for this thesis has been gathered through a literary review of studies focused in PTSD, and exercise and sport psychology. The review is based within completed research on PTSD to outline symptoms and patterns of sufferers. During the analysis of studies it was important to focus on how reactions may differ between the type of trauma an individual experiences. The effects of mass trauma will be highlighted as a large scale of people are affected, calling for therapy which can reach a larger number of individuals. These timelines will make up the beginning of the thesis, followed by research of studies focused on current treatment options, taking careful notice of the benefits and risks of each. Emphasis will be placed on group therapy options as sport is an activity involving multiple individuals. While studying literature in this area, the student hopes to find the framework for group therapy programs currently in practice. The following section then accommodates the analysis of work within sport and exercise psychology. The research focuses on the use of exercise and physical activity as treatment for depression and other symptoms associated with PTSD. Through the review of such literature it will be possible to coordinate research in the impact of exercise on affects of PTSD. Finally, based on previous research and theory, a program is developed and outlined using sport therapy with PTSD. The recommended intervention will be structured around a theoretical mass trauma, working to benefit affected children. Such a program could then be implemented and improved upon. This literary analysis hopes to be a stepping stone for future research in PTSD treatment.
Year of Submission
2009
Department
School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services
University Honors Designation
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the designation University Honors
Date Original
5-2009
Object Description
1 PDF file (48 pages)
Copyright
©2009 Sydney de Victoria-Michel
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
de Victoria-Michel, Sydney, "The Effects of Sport and Physical Activity on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Youth From Mass Trauma Populations" (2009). Honors Program Theses. 768.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/hpt/768
Comments
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