Thesis
Factors influencing motivation and retention of people with Multiple Sclerosis in exercise activity: A qualitative study
Honours, Murdoch University
2017
Abstract
People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) experience barriers to exercise participation, resulting in low exercise engagement and high levels of dropouts. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the psychosocial factors that predict participation and retention in exercise activity and support programmes for people with MS. Fifteen participants diagnosed with MS (ages 42-73, twelve women and three men) were recruited for semi-structured interviews through the Multiple Sclerosis society of Western Australia (MSWA). Data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis as well as the frameworks of social cognitive theory, theory of planned behaviour, self-determination theory and job embeddedness theory. This study identified three themes, attitudes about purpose, improved wellbeing and an opportunity for connection and support that were found to influence motivations to exercise as well as enhancing participation in exercise activity. The combined forces of these factors together with individual characteristics influenced a person’s embeddedness or attachment to their exercise activity, and their decision of whether to stay or leave. These findings are valuable, as it will assist to inform future clinical interventions of factors implicated in retention and what they need to address in order to retain a high number of participants in exercise programmes.
Details
- Title
- Factors influencing motivation and retention of people with Multiple Sclerosis in exercise activity: A qualitative study
- Authors/Creators
- Mohini Sacha
- Contributors
- Brody Heritage (Supervisor)Yvonne Learmonth (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Honours
- Identifiers
- 991005541863907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology and Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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