Associations between physical activity and motivation, competence, functioning, and apathy in inhabitants with mental illness from a rural municipality: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence for physical activity (PA) having a positive impact on physical and mental health as well as illness symptoms in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). However, individuals with SMI experience several barriers that makes it difficult to take advantage of the benefits associated with PA. One barrier consistently reported to impede PA is motivational issues. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to examine associations between PA and motivation for PA, perceived competence for PA, functioning, apathy, and demographic variables among individuals with SMI. This was conducted within a larger study aiming at including all inhabitants with SMI in one particular small, rural municipality.MethodA total of 106 participants were recruited to the study. Questionnaire-based interviews conducted by two mental health nurses assessed self-reported PA, motivation and competence for PA, functioning, and apathy. Additionally, 71 participants accepted to wear an accelerometer-equipped wristwatch yielding an objective assessment of PA.ResultsThe participants engaged in little PA. However, they did not lack motivation, as over 90% stated that they would like to be more active, and participants across PA level displayed high scores of a motivation reflecting that they valued the benefits of PA. Results showed that higher self-reported PA level was associated with higher levels of integrated regulated motivation and perceived competence for PA while it was unrelated to functioning and apathy. In the subpopulation with objectively measured PA, integrated regulated motivation for PA remained significantly associated with PA level, whereas poor scores on functioning lowered the odds ratio for higher PA level.ConclusionThe results show that PA specific motivation is associated with PA even when controlling for functioning and apathy. This highlight the importance of facilitating context specific motivation (i.e., motivation for PA) and that health care practitioners should emphasise helping people with SMI develop more intrinsic forms of motivation.

Perceived benefits and barriers to exercise and associated factors among Zimbabwean undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study

“…Our study ndings showed a high burden of CMDs in university students, which was associated with an increased likelihood of perceived barriers to exercise. Poor mental health functioning is associated with a lack of energy and motivation for PA engagement, creating a vicious cycle of poor physical and mental health [35,36]. Also, participants with chronic conditions reported more exercise barriers.…”

Lessons Learned From a Physical Activity Intervention in Psychiatric Treatment: Patient, Staff, and Leader Perspectives

“…All in all, this situation is probably not unique to this particular institution. Individuals with psychiatric illness often want to become more physically active (36). However, perceived barriers and the quality of their motivation make them need help, support and high-quality activity possibilities (37,38).…”

Effects of sport therapy on psychosocial outcomes for forensic patients

“…In order to help patients with severe mental illnesses to engage in PA, the sessions should match the patients' abilities and (psychosocial) needs [38]. Measures that may help are structured training in a facility [37], social support [37,[39][40][41][42], the support of an exercise instructor [37,39], the promotion of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (empowering patients to control their training independently) [36,43,44], motivational interviewing, and goal setting [45]. In addition to pursuing physiological goals, it is also recommended to make use of exercise programs that provide psychological support to patients [40] and promote interaction with others [46].…”