Gender Differences in Psychological Outcomes Following Surf versus Hike Therapy among U.S. Service Members.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 21(2)2024 Feb 19.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38397730
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Surf and hike therapies have demonstrated effectiveness as adjunct interventions for service members with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study explores gender differences in intervention outcomes following a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial of Surf and Hike Therapy for service members with MDD (N = 96; men, n = 46; women, n = 50).METHODS:
Clinician-administered and self-report measures (depression, anxiety, positive affect, negative affect, resilience, and pain) were completed at preprogram, postprogram, and 3-month follow-up; brief measures (depression/anxiety and positive affect) were completed before and after each session.RESULTS:
Multilevel modeling results showed that anxiety decreased from pre- to postprogram and significantly differed by gender (B = -2.26, p = 0.029), with women reporting greater reductions. The remaining outcomes from pre- to postprogram demonstrated significant improvements that did not differ by gender (ps = 0.218-0.733). There were no gender differences through follow-up (ps = 0.119-0.780). However, within sessions, women reported greater improvements in depression/anxiety (B = -0.93, p = 0.005) and positive affect (B = 3.73, p = 0.001). The change in positive affect scores within sessions was greater for women in Hike Therapy compared to men (p = 0.016).CONCLUSIONS:
Overall, results demonstrate that both genders benefit from adjunctive Surf and Hike Therapies, but women exhibit a better response in terms of longer-term anxiety and immediate psychological outcomes.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtorno Depressivo Maior
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article