First impressions count: perceptions of surface-level and deep-level similarity within postnatal exercise classes and implications for program adherence

Strengthening Peer Mentoring Relationships for New Mothers: A Qualitative Analysis

(1) Background: The transition to motherhood can be challenging, especially for first-time mothers, and can accompany maternal distress. Social support—such as that offered by peers—can be important in assisting mothers to manage such distress. Although primiparous mothers often seek out and value peer support programs, few researchers have investigated factors that may influence the strength of relationships in non-professional maternal peer support programs. Insight into these factors can be key to enhancing the success of future peer support interventions. (2) Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to data gathered from 36 semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 primiparous mothers and 17 peer mentors in a peer support program. (3) Results: Four themes related to successful mentorship were identified: expectations of peer relationship, independence of peer mentor, contact, and similarities. (4) Conclusions: For primiparous mothers who are developing their support network, these factors appear important for promoting close and effective peer support relationships. Interventions that harness the dynamics between these factors may contribute to more successful peer support relationships and mental health outcomes for participants.

Behavioural analysis of postnatal physical activity in the UK according to the COM-B model: a multi-methods study

OBJECTIVE

Develop a behavioural analysis of factors influencing postnatal physical activity (PA) according to the 'capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour' (COM-B) model of behaviour to inform intervention development using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, multi-method study using semi-structured interviews and a quantitative questionnaire.

SETTING

Children's centres and mother and baby groups in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience samples of postnatal women were interviewed (n=16) and completed the questionnaire (n=158).

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews followed a preprepared topic guide exploring the COM-B model components and analysed using framework analysis. The questionnaire, based on the self-evaluation of behaviour questionnaire, was adapted using patient and public involvement and findings from the interviews. Questionnaire participants rated their agreement with 22 predefined statements related to COM-B model components. Mean, SD and 95% CI were calculated and each item categorised according to importance. Demographic data were collected.

RESULTS

The questionnaire identified that new mothers would be more active if they had more time, felt less tired, had accessible childcare, were part of a group, advised by a healthcare professional, able to develop a habit and had more motivation. Additional themes emerging from qualitative data were engaging in PA groups with other new mothers, limited physical stamina following complicated births, social interaction, enjoyment and parental beliefs as motivation, provision of child-friendly PA facilities and environments and babies' unpredictable routines.

CONCLUSION

The behavioural analysis presented in this paper identifies and adds detail on the range of factors influencing the target behaviour. Some are unique to the target population, requiring targeted interventions for postnatal women, whereas some are individualised, suggesting the need for individually tailored interventions. We will use the behavioural analysis presented to design an intervention using the subsequent steps in the BCW.

Promoting Exercise Adherence Through Groups: A Self-Categorization Theory Perspective

The hypothesis presented in this paper is that adherence to exercise programs can be understood, and fostered through intervention, by considering how social identities form within group settings. This paper explains these processes from a self-categorization theory perspective.

A Social Identity Approach to Understanding and Promoting Physical Activity

Against the backdrop of a global physical inactivity crisis, attempts to both understand and positively influence physical activity behaviours are characterized by a focus on individual-level factors (e.g. cognitions, attitudes, motivation). We outline a new perspective, drawn from an emerging body of work exploring the applicability of social identity and self-categorization theories to domains of sport and health, from which to understand and address this pervasive problem. This social identity approach suggests that the groups to which people belong can be, and often are, incorporated into their sense of self and, through this, are powerful determinants of physical activity-related behaviour. We start by reviewing the current state of physical activity research and highlighting the potential for the social identity approach to help understand how social factors influence these behaviours. Next, we outline the theoretical underpinnings of the social identity approach and provide three key examples that speak to the analytical and practical value of the social identity approach in physical activity settings. Specifically, we argue that social identity (1) can be harnessed to promote engagement in physical activity, (2) underpins exercise group behaviour, and (3) underpins effective leadership in exercise settings. We conclude by identifying prospects for a range of theory-informed research developments.

GrOup based physical Activity for oLder adults (GOAL) randomized controlled trial: study protocol

BACKGROUND

Physical activity has health benefits across the lifespan, yet only 13 % of Canadian older adults are sufficiently active. Results from a number of observational studies indicate that adults display positive preferences for exercising with others of a similar age and same gender, and that intra-group age- and gender-similarity are associated with elevated exercise adherence. However, research has yet to experimentally examine the extent to which intra-group age- and gender-related similarity affect exercise adherence behaviors.

METHODS/DESIGN

The GrOup-based physical Activity for oLder adults (GOAL) trial is a three-arm randomized control trial that will examine the efficacy of two different group-based exercise programs for older adults (informed by the tenets of self-categorization theory) in relation to a standard group-based exercise program. Within this manuscript we outline the design and proposed evaluation of the GOAL trial. The first arm is comprised of exercise groups made up of participants of a similar-age and of the same gender; the second arm consists of groups with similar-aged mixed gender participants; the control arm is comprised of mixed-aged mixed gender participants. We aim to compare the adherence rates of participants across conditions, as well as potential moderation effects and mediating mechanisms.

DISCUSSION

Results from this trial will inform intervention designs to improve the exercise adherence behaviors of older adult. At a systems-level, should support be derived for the efficacy of the interventions tested in this trial, changing group composition (i.e., age, gender) represents a feasible program adaptation for physical activity centers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT02023632 . Registered December 13, 2013.

The relationship between intra-group age similarity and exercise adherence

BACKGROUND

Research within social and organizational psychology is replete with evidence for a positive relationship between intra-group demographic similarity and group-based attraction/involvement. This relationship, however, remains largely unexplored within applied health settings.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which intra-group age similarity relates to individual adherence behaviors within group-based exercise programs.

METHODS

A prospective observational design was used in which participants' (N=123) age similarity was assessed in relation to program adherence over a period of several months. Data were collected from within a large city in Western Canada during the winter of 2011. Analyses were performed using a multilevel framework shortly after data collection.

RESULTS

A positive relationship was observed between age similarity and program adherence (β=0.19, SE=0.09, p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings are consistent with the notion that program adherence may be enhanced if age similarity is maximized.