Karen Johnson
The University of Texas at Austin, Nursing, Faculty Member
- Nursing, Adolescent Health, Positive Youth Development, Community and Public Health Nursing, Publich Health Nursing, Public Health, and 10 moreSecondary Data Analysis, Intervention research, Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health, Physical Activity, Physical activity and mind-body relaxation techniques as stress reduction interventions, Social connectedness, Epidemiology, Social epidemiology, and Health Disparitiesedit
Background: Alternative high school (AHS) students have low levels of physical activity (PA) and high rates of overweight/obesity. Sports team participation, a specific form of PA, is associated with increased PA and decreased... more
Background: Alternative high school (AHS) students have low levels of physical activity (PA) and high rates of overweight/obesity. Sports team participation, a specific form of PA, is associated with increased PA and decreased overweight/obesity in general adolescent populations. However, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of sports team participation among AHS students. Methods: In 2006, students (n = 145; mean age = 17 years; 52% male; 61% minorities; 64% low-income) attending 6 AHS in Minneapolis/St. Paul completed self-administered surveys. Mixed model logistic regression was used to examine cross-sectional associations between sports team participation and school staff support for PA, friend support for PA, and perceived barriers to PA. Results: Among students, 40% participated on ≥ 1 sports teams. Odds of participating on a sports team were positively associated with support for PA from school staff (OR = 1.12, P = .014) and friends (OR = 1.15, P = .005), but inversely associated with perceived barriers to PA (OR = 0.95, P = .014). Conclusion: Results suggest that efforts to increase sports team participation among AHS students should target social-environmental factors. Further study is warranted.
Purpose. The purpose of the review was to describe current knowledge regarding relationships between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Conclusions. Inverse relationships were found between PA,... more
Purpose. The purpose of the review was to describe current knowledge regarding relationships between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms among adolescents.
Conclusions. Inverse relationships were found between PA, particularly sports participation, and depressive symptoms. Limitations of the current research are discussed, including measurement issues. A major gap exists regarding research with youth at high risk for depressive symptoms and low levels of PA, including older, low-income, minority females. Future research should focus on high-risk populations such as youth attending alternative high schools.
Practice Implications. Nurses should consider promoting PA among middle and older adolescents as a way to prevent depressive symptoms and consider integrating PA into care plans for those experiencing depressive symptoms.
Conclusions. Inverse relationships were found between PA, particularly sports participation, and depressive symptoms. Limitations of the current research are discussed, including measurement issues. A major gap exists regarding research with youth at high risk for depressive symptoms and low levels of PA, including older, low-income, minority females. Future research should focus on high-risk populations such as youth attending alternative high schools.
Practice Implications. Nurses should consider promoting PA among middle and older adolescents as a way to prevent depressive symptoms and consider integrating PA into care plans for those experiencing depressive symptoms.
Purpose. The purpose of this review is to describe current knowledge about health-risk behaviors and mental health among alternative high school students. Conclusions. Substance use, diet and/or physical activity, sexual-risk... more
Purpose. The purpose of this review is to describe current knowledge about health-risk behaviors and mental health among alternative high school students.
Conclusions. Substance use, diet and/or physical activity, sexual-risk behaviors, mental health, and violence were reviewed. Students were described as marginalized youth facing significant social environmental challenges. Findings from 43 studies published from 1997–2010 suggested a high prevalence of health-risk behaviors among alternative high school students. Very few studies were conducted by nurse researchers. Suggestions for future research include addressing social environmental factors, resiliency, and emotional/mental health outcomes.
Practice Implications. Alternative high schools offer a venue to conduct research and implement nursing interventions with high-risk, yet resilient, youth.
Conclusions. Substance use, diet and/or physical activity, sexual-risk behaviors, mental health, and violence were reviewed. Students were described as marginalized youth facing significant social environmental challenges. Findings from 43 studies published from 1997–2010 suggested a high prevalence of health-risk behaviors among alternative high school students. Very few studies were conducted by nurse researchers. Suggestions for future research include addressing social environmental factors, resiliency, and emotional/mental health outcomes.
Practice Implications. Alternative high schools offer a venue to conduct research and implement nursing interventions with high-risk, yet resilient, youth.