Improving Health Behaviors and Outcomes: An Intervention to Support Engagement in Physical Activity

Abstract

4The purpose of this case study is to offer reflections on the personal experiences, 5 processes of behavioural change; and subsequent outcomes of designing and 6 implementing a collaborative exercise psychology intervention. The intervention, 7 based on Bandura's (1977) Self Efficacy Theory and using self-efficacy related 8 behaviour change techniques (Michie et al., 2015), aimed to provide families affected 9 by health inequalities with opportunities to enhance their understanding of health and 10 make positive behavioural changes. This case is based around one female client aged 11 48 years of age who took part in the project with her ten-year-old daughter. Pre-12 intervention the client was engaging in minimal levels of weekly physical activity and 13 reported poor self-rated mental well-being. Through improvements in self-efficacy, 14 achieved through opportunities on the project, the client was able to make notable 15 improvements to her physical activity levels leading to significant weight loss and 16 improvements in mental well-being. From the practitioners' perspective, reflection on 17 areas for future work within the field of exercise psychology, particularly guidance on 18 developing effective client-practitioner relationships with 'hard-to-reach' individuals 19 and groups is warranted. More consideration for the suitability of the PA guidelines for 20 individuals with poor physical and mental health is also required. 21 22 Context 23