Gaining qualitative insight into the subjective experiences of adherers to an exercise referral scheme: A thematic analysis
Open accessAbstract
Nine adults who had completed an exercise referral scheme participated in a semi-structured interview to uncover the key psychological factors associated with adherence to the scheme. Through thematic analysis, an exercise identity emerged to be a major factor associated with adherence to the scheme, which was formed of a number of underpinning constructs including changes in self-esteem, changes in self-efficacy and changes in self-regulatory strategies. Also, an additional theme of transitions in motivation to exercise was identified, showing participants’ motivation to alter from extrinsic to intrinsic reasons to exercise during the scheme.
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Goal setting and self-monitoring have shown promise as facilitators of intervention adherence.
“Goal setting [93–95] or self-monitoring [96–98] may be examples of effective BCT to help personalize interventions while prompting self-regulation [93–95, 99], as these BCTs have shown promise as facilitators of intervention adherence [27, 30, 32, 37, 39, 41–43, 45, 49, 51, 53, 56–58, 61, 96].”
From Barriers and facilitators to diet, physical activity and lifestyle behavior intervention adherence: a qualitative systematic review of the literature (2023) · cites this paper as [42]
In “Changes in self-regulatory strategies,” adherers described setting goals and monitoring their health, which the authors say appeared to help their ability to exercise. The study offers qualitative support in an exercise referral scheme, but does not test goal setting or self-monitoring as intervention techniques or establish their effectiveness for intervention adherence more broadly. (LLM, conf=0.82)
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- Authors
- Eynon, M. J., O’Donnell, C., & Williams, L.
- Affiliations
- Canterbury Christ Church University (GB)
- University of the West of Scotland (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Eynon, Michael John
- Venue
- Journal of Health Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-07-07
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1476-1487
- ISSN
- 1359-1053 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7277
- OpenAlex
- W2463822767
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 2.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Locations
- Journal of Health Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Create (Canterbury Christ Church University) (acceptedVersion)
- St Mary's University Repository (St Mary's University Twickenham London) (acceptedVersion)
- The UWS Academic Portal (University of the West of Scotland) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Keywords
- exercise referral schemes, exercise adherence, exercise identity, self-esteem, self-efficacy, self-regulation, exercise motivation, subjective experience
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Patient Compliance, Referral and Consultation, Exercise, Qualitative Research
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