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An exploratory study of mothers engaging in physical activity in rural communities.
- Source :
- Women & Health; Mar2024, Vol. 64 Issue 3, p235-249, 15p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Gender gaps in physical activity (PA) exist with women being less active than men. Multiple cultural and psychosocial factors influence women's ability to successfully negotiate barriers to PA and other health promoting behaviors. The goal of this exploratory descriptive study was to better understand the daily experiences of mothers in making health promoting decisions for themselves and their families. Semi-structured interviews (N = 17) were conducted with rural dwelling mothers who were the primary caregivers of children in the home. Participants were asked to share their experiences with PA and other health behaviors, focusing on their motivators, barriers, and facilitators. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Emerging themes focused on 1) feeling internal and external pressures to prioritize family's needs over one's health, 2) family exerting both positive and negative influences on health choices, and 3) living in a rural community often resulting in a lack of opportunities to engage in physical activity and feelings of being isolated from social networks. To close the gender gap in PA, interventions should support mothers in navigating their multiple roles and competing demands while engaging in health promoting behaviors such as physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- GENDER role
RESEARCH funding
INTERVIEWING
CONTENT analysis
DECISION making
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
SOCIAL norms
EXPERIENCE
SOUND recordings
THEMATIC analysis
PSYCHOLOGY of mothers
RURAL conditions
RESEARCH
RESEARCH methodology
SOCIAL networks
HEALTH promotion
WOMEN'S health
PHYSICAL activity
SOCIAL isolation
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03630242
- Volume :
- 64
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Women & Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175980626
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2024.2310050