O'Rourke RH, Vani MF, O'Loughlin EK, Thibodeau DE, Sabiston CM. Exploring the reasons for wanting a peer partner to be physically active among women living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis: a content analysis.
Support Care Cancer 2024;
32:411. [PMID:
38839643 DOI:
10.1007/s00520-024-08602-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Initiating and maintaining exercise is challenging for women during and post-cancer treatment. Adopting a peer partner model to provide social support to be active may contribute to lasting behaviour change of both partners. Despite this, finding a "like peer" can be challenging.
PURPOSE
To explore women's reasons for seeking an online exercise partner following a diagnosis with cancer (through www.activematch.ca ). We also examined women's potential sociodemographic and cancer-related differences by reported reasons for wanting an exercise partner.
METHODS
Individuals creating an ActiveMatch profile completed demographic and physical activity questions (N = 199, Mage(SD) = 51.9(10.8) years), including an open-ended question regarding their "reason for wanting an exercise partner". An inductive content analysis was completed focusing on the participants' peer exercise partner preferences. Additional chi-square tests were run to assess whether participants differed based on sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics and their motivations to be active by category of "reason for wanting an exercise partner" endorsed in the open-ended question.
RESULTS
The participants' reasons for wanting an exercise partner were coded into seven categories, with most participants highlighting the reasons of motivation (52.3%), social support (48.7%), and accountability and adherence (26.6%). Women < 50 years of age were more likely to report accountability and adherence-related preferences for a partner. Those reporting endorsing weight loss as their primary reason for becoming active were more likely to be categorized as wanting a peer partner for motivation.
CONCLUSIONS
While finding a peer partner can be challenging, matching women living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis based on their reason for wanting an exercise partner, as well as their reasons for wanting to be active, may be important to build successful peer exercise partnerships.
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