A Climbing (Bouldering) Intervention to Increase the Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon-Study Protocol for a Controlled Trial

Luttenberger K, Najem C, Rosenbaum S, Sifri C, Kind L, Baggenstos B (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health MDPI

Book Volume: 20

Article Number: 4289

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054289

Abstract

(1) Background: Adolescent refugees in Lebanon and Lebanese youth are both at high risk of suffering from reduced psychological well-being. Sport is an evidence-based strategy for improving mental and physical health, and climbing is a type of sport that may positively impact both. The aim of this study is to test the effect of a manualized, psychosocial group climbing intervention on the well-being, distress, self-efficacy, and social cohesion of adolescents in Lebanon. In addition, the mechanisms behind psychological changes will be investigated. (2) Methods: In this mixed-methods waitlist-controlled study, we are allocating a minimum of 160 participants to an intervention (IG) or a control group (CG). The primary outcome is overall mental well-being (WEMWBS) after the 8-week intervention. Secondary outcomes include distress symptoms (K-6 Distress Scale), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale; GSE), and social cohesion. Potential mechanisms of change and implementation factors are being investigated through qualitative interviews with a subgroup of 40 IG participants. (3) Conclusions: The results may contribute to knowledge of sports interventions and their effects on psychological well-being and will provide insights regarding low-intensity interventions for supporting adolescent refugees and host populations in conflict-affected settings. The study was prospectively registered at the ISRCTN platform (current-controlled trials). ISRCTN13005983.

Authors with CRIS profile

Katharina Luttenberger Medizinische Fakultät Leona Kind Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Involved external institutions

Universiteit Gent (UGent) / Ghent University BE Belgium (BE) University of New South Wales (UNSW) AU Australia (AU) ClimbAID CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Luttenberger, K., Najem, C., Rosenbaum, S., Sifri, C., Kind, L., & Baggenstos, B. (2023). A Climbing (Bouldering) Intervention to Increase the Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon-Study Protocol for a Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054289

MLA:

Luttenberger, Katharina, et al. "A Climbing (Bouldering) Intervention to Increase the Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon-Study Protocol for a Controlled Trial." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20.5 (2023).

BibTeX: Download