Who provides physical activity support in the workplace? Implications for peer led interventions

Abstract

Objective: Social support is one mechanism through which peer support physical activity (PA) interventions influence behaviour. The aim of this study was to explore the sources and characteristics of social support for PA among office-based work colleagues. Design: A sequential mixed-methods approach was used. First, social network analysis was utilised to map the sources of social support. Then interviews and focus groups were used to explore the characteristics of this support. Setting: One UK public sector employer in the south of England. Method: Using an online survey, 99 employees (40 men; Mage = 40 ± 12 years) reported their PA and named specific colleagues who provided four forms of social support for PA (emotional, informational, companionship, validation). Social network diagrams for each support network were visualised using UCINET and Netdraw. Individuals identified as most frequently providing support for PA participated in one-to-one interviews ( n = 6) to discuss their perspective on social support for PA in the workplace. Three focus groups explored the characteristics of social support for PA among employees identified within the networks as support seekers or disconnected. These qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results: Different patterns of relationships between employees were demonstrated for the four forms of support with informational support provided most frequently and validation least frequently. Qualitative data illustrate how each form of support was provided and received, as well as further perceived characteristics of social support. Conclusion: These findings could help inform the future selection and training of peer PA champions in workplace settings and more widely.

How Social Media Use at Work Affects Improvement of Older People’s Willingness to Delay Retirement During Transfer From Demographic Bonus to Health Bonus: Causal Relationship Empirical Study

“…Our study confirms that the use of social media at work has a positive impact on older workers. The findings suggest that the use of social media at work can help older workers improve their social support and self-efficacy (H1, H2, and H3), which is very important for older people; effective social support can enhance their physical and mental health and reduce the occurrence of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety [ 11 , 17 , 33 ]. Similarly, self-efficacy also has positive implications for the mental health of older people [ 44 , 46 ].…”

“…In addition, non–work-related social media use behaviors (such as entertainment behaviors on social media) can reduce work stress and psychological problems [ 9 ]. And interactions on social media related to health information (such as competitive step counting) can also promote exercise around the workplace and maintain people’s level of health [ 11 ]. In conclusion, the existing research has suggested that the use of social media at work can improve workers’ mental health and work ability.…”

“…In addition, non–work-related information sharing also can improve older people’s ability to work. For example, Edmunds et al confirmed that the support of colleagues related to health information can promote workplace exercise, improve workers’ health level, and enhance their work ability [ 11 ]. Workplace exercise can not only improve the physical health of older adults but also improve their mental health, which is of great significance for maintaining their work ability [ 33 ].…”

How Social Media Use at Work Affects Improvement of Older People’s Willingness to Delay Retirement During Transfer From Demographic Bonus to Health Bonus: Causal Relationship Empirical Study (Preprint)

“…Our study confirms that the use of social media at work has a positive impact on older workers. The findings suggest that the use of social media at work can help older workers improve their social support and self-efficacy (H1, H2, and H3), which is very important for older people; effective social support can enhance their physical and mental health and reduce the occurrence of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety [11,17,33]. Similarly, self-efficacy also has positive implications for the mental health of older people [44,46].…”

Employees’ healthy eating and physical activity: the role of colleague encouragement and behaviour

“…In this article, we focus on the latter and argue for two potential ways in which colleagues can affect one another’s healthy behaviours: through encouraging each other to make healthy choices and by acting as role models. Firstly, via encouragement, colleagues can enhance each other’s motivation, increase their self-care and create a sense of shared responsibility for healthy choices [ 1 , 2 , 15 ]. Previous studies examined generic social support and social capital at the workplace, focussing more on trust between colleagues and solidarity [ 11 , 13 , 16 , 17 ].…”