A qualitative analysis of facilitators and barriers to physical activity among patients with moderate mental disorders

Abstract

Aim The current study aims to qualitatively identify determinants, barriers and facilitators of physical activity among a population with mental health disorders. Subject and methods Seventeen participants with moderate mental disorders were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify physical activity facilitators and barriers. Data were organized and analysed in ATLAS.ti, mainly based on a generic qualitative research approach. Results Most participants found physical activity important and expressed a positive attitude towards it. In general, higher self-efficacy and more social support were beneficial for participants’ physical activity levels. Reasons/facilitating factors to be more physically active were: having fun, good weather, progress, routine, self-compassion and a stimulating environment. Barriers were not having fun, being busy, mental complaints, lack of energy, procrastination and physical complaints. Conclusion Future interventions could promote physical activity among people with moderate mental disorders to help them identify and overcome barriers. The newly identified determinant ‘self-compassion’ could be an interesting target for promoting physical activity in this group of people with moderate mental disorders.

Self-compassion, physical activity, and psychological antecedents of physical activity: A scoping review of quantitative research.

“…Our review was limited to quantitative research, and an examination of qualitative studies could have provided more descriptive information about people's experiences of SC in a PA context. For example, qualitative accounts of SC and PA are available among women exercisers (Berry et al, 2010;Rogers & Ebbeck, 2016), postpartum mothers (Woekel & Ebbeck, 2013), older adult women (Bennett et al, 2017), adolescents (Wong et al, 2023), employees (de Bruin et al, 2020, people with mental disorders (van Rijen & Ten Hoor, 2023), and people with prediabetes (A. K. Signore et al, 2022), among others. Given this growing base of evidence, future reviews examining qualitative research on SC and PA are warranted.…”

Health-Related Quality of Life and Injuries in Physical Education Students: A Multi-Group Model According to the Degree of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

“…There is now a large body of research that supports the benefits of physical activity [1,2]. These benefits are independent of the age, sex, place of residence, and socioeconomic status of the practitioner [3]. Moreover, the practice of physical activity is easily accessible to different people [3].…”

“…These benefits are independent of the age, sex, place of residence, and socioeconomic status of the practitioner [3]. Moreover, the practice of physical activity is easily accessible to different people [3]. The training of people related to the physical-sport field is vital [4].…”

The use of digital technologies to promote physical activity in mental healthcare settings: A scoping review

“…Research indicates that there are several obstacles that prevent people with mental illness from exercising, including a lack of desire, anxiety about being seen in public, exhaustion, a lack of support, and other coexisting medical conditions like obesity that directly affect mobility [8]. Procrastination, lack of enjoyment, and physical or mental discomfort are the most frequent reasons people avoid PA [12]. In addition to these factors, there may be other barriers specific to inpatient mental health services, such as scarce resources, particular risks and responsibilities in these situations (since patients are sometimes in phases of greater clinical decompensation or on higher doses of medication), lack of support and minimal emphasis placed on exercise [13].…”