The meanings of outdoor physical activity for parentally bereaved young people in the United Kingdom: insights from an ethnographic study

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the meanings of outdoor physical activity in the natural environment for parentally-bereaved young people. It draws on data generated from a two-year ethnographic study that focused on the experiences of those involved with the Rocky Centre, a childhood bereavement service in the UK. Data was collected via extended periods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews with both staff and service users. One of the key themes to emerge from the analysis was that of physical activity in different environments. The meanings that the parentally-bereaved young people attributed to outdoor physical activity clustered around four sub-themes. These were: sense of freedom; distraction/escapism; retaining memories; and family cohesion. Each of these are considered in detail and their implications for future practice and research are discussed.

Can Physical Activity Support Grief Outcomes in Individuals Who Have Been Bereaved? A Systematic Review

“…A total of 26 different grief outcomes were mentioned. Depression was most commonly mentioned in 12 studies [ 39 – 41 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 51 , 54 , 55 , 59 , 63 ], followed by anxiety ( n = 6) [ 39 , 40 , 43 , 53 – 55 ], stress ( n = 4) [ 41 , 42 , 54 , 60 ], non-defined grief ( n = 3) [ 42 , 46 , 49 ], PTSD ( n = 3) [ 39 , 40 , 44 ], sleep problems/insomnia ( n = 2) [ 51 , 52 ], aggression ( n = 2) [ 53 , 54 ], life satisfaction ( n = 2) [ 45 , 62 ], quality of life ( n = 2) [ 41 , 47 ], fatigue ( n = 2), well-being ( n = 2) [ 43 , 62 ], immune responses ( n = 1) [ 42 ], general affect ( n = 1) [ 50 ], childhood traumatic grief ( n = 1) [ 44 ], self-esteem ( n = 1) [ 59 ], panic attacks ( n = 1) [ 54 ], loneliness ( n = 1) [ 59 ], crying ( n = 1) [ 52 ], emptiness ( n = 1) [ 52 ], sadness ( n = 1) [ 52 ], numbness ( n = 1) [ 52 ], change in appetite ( n = 1) [ 52 ], suicidal ideation ( n = 1) [ 39 ], psychological distress ( n = 1) [ 61 ] and emotional regulation ( n = 1) [ 40 ]. Whilst not defined as grief outcomes, developing coping strategies were mentioned in four studies [ 52 ...…”

“…Length of time since death was omitted from six studies [ 41 , 46 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 55 , 59 , 61 ]. The longest length of time since death was 15 years [ 53 , 54 ]. Eleven studies examined recent bereavement up to two years since death.…”

“…Physical activity was found to allow those who have experienced a bereavement to express emotions, escape from grief, retain memories and gain a sense of freedom [ 53 , 54 ]. Participating in physical activity allowed individuals to create friendships, drawing upon social support, whilst also creating closer family cohesion [ 49 , 54 ]. Physical activity enabled individuals who have experienced bereavement to reduce levels of depression, stress, loneliness and PTSD [ 42 , 44 , 48 , 59 , 63 ].…”

“…Of the 14 quantitative studies, seven of these were experimental designs [39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. The eligible articles were from eleven different countries, the majority in the USA (n = 10) [39-41, 44, 46-51], followed by the UK (n = 4) [52][53][54][55], Canada (n = 2) [56,57], South Korea (n = 1) [45], Israel (n = 1) [58], China (n = 1) [59], Sweden (n = 1) [60], Africa (n = 1) [61] and Germany (n = 1) [62], Hong Kong (n = 1) [43] and Korea (n = 1) [42]. There was one study with an unknown location [63].…”

Spectres of Nature in the Trail Building Assemblage

“…In addition, Coon et al (2011) describe the mental health benefits that can be accrued through one's exposure to views of nature, whilst Yeh et al (2016) analyse the supposedly synergistic relationships between emotional wellbeing and 'green' physical activity. Studies couched in similar terms have also espoused the social benefits of such activity, citing improvements in, amongst other things social capital, educational attainment/school attendance, and enhanced selfesteem following family bereavement (Brewer and Sparkes 2011). In many such studies, the claims made in support of green exercise are framed by neo-liberal ideologies concerned with reducing the financial burden of sedentary (in)activity/mental health whilst encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing (Mansfield 2018).…”