Abstract
Enjoyment of physical activity (PA) is positively correlatedwith PAengagement. The inclusion of
peers has been found to increase the likelihood of PAenjoyment in youth. Peer-led strategies, incorporating
peer networks in the intervention delivery, is relatively underused and consequently understudied in
school-based PA interventions. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility and
acceptability of the novel Girls Peer Activity (G-PACT) peer-ledmentoring intervention. Two-hundred
and forty-nine Year 9 adolescent girls (13–14 years old) fromthreemixed-sex secondary schools located
inWest Lancashire, North-West England were invited to participate in the G-PACT project. The study
employed a novel approach by using a three-tier model, including (Tier 1) Mentors (undergraduate
students), (Tier 2) Leaders (Year 9 girls selected by teachers), and (Tier 3) Peers (whole Year 9 cohort).
Mentors delivered a series of educational and leadership training to the Leaders in each respective school
who then disseminated this information to their Peers and encouraged themto engage inmore physical
activities. Eight focus groups were conducted with Leaders (n = 40), 28 focus groups with Peers (n = 185),
two focus groups with Mentors (n = 6), and three interviews with teachers (n = 4). Thematic analysis
was used to analyze the pooled data and identify the key themes. The study found that the G-PACT
intervention was feasible and acceptable for adolescent PA Leaders and theirMentors. The relationship
between Leaders and their Peers required refinement to improve the communication processes to increase
Peer engagement in the G-PACT project.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 128 |
Journal | Children |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 19 Sept 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 19 Sept 2018 |
Research Centres
- Sport and Mental Health Research Centre
Research Groups
- Sport, Work and Health Research Group
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Dr MICHAEL OWEN
- Allied Health, Social Work & Wellbeing - SLecturer Child &Adoles't Ment Heal&Well
- Health Research Institute
Person: Research institute member, Academic