Embedding Physical Activity into Community-Based Peer Support Groups for those Severely Affected by Mental Illness

Laura C. Healy (), Adam Benkwitz, Zoe McVinnie, Mustafa Sarkar, Mel Islin, Andy Brinded, B. Dodge, Sofija Opacic, Zoe Swithenbank, Shanika Ranasinghe, Jennie Oliver, Maria Karanika-Murray and Mary E. Nevill
Additional contact information
Laura C. Healy: Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
Adam Benkwitz: Sport, Physical Activity and Health Research Centre, Newman University, Birmingham B32 3NT, UK
Zoe McVinnie: Department of Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
Mustafa Sarkar: Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
Mel Islin: Rethink Mental Illness, The Dumont, 28 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7GR, UK
Andy Brinded: Rethink Mental Illness, The Dumont, 28 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7GR, UK
B. Dodge: Rethink Mental Illness, The Dumont, 28 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7GR, UK
Sofija Opacic: Rethink Mental Illness, The Dumont, 28 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7GR, UK
Zoe Swithenbank: Rethink Mental Illness, The Dumont, 28 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7GR, UK
Shanika Ranasinghe: Rethink Mental Illness, The Dumont, 28 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7GR, UK
Jennie Oliver: Rethink Mental Illness, The Dumont, 28 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7GR, UK
Maria Karanika-Murray: School of Business, University of Leicester, Brookfield, 266 London Road, Leicester LE2 1RQ, UK
Mary E. Nevill: Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: Despite a growing evidence base on the effectiveness of community-based physical activity interventions for mental health, there is a lack of studies that focus on those affected by severe mental illness (SMI), who often experience poorer physical health, and are less physically active than the wider population. The use of peer support groups in this context is also understudied, despite benefits being documented in other contexts. This study examined the impact and process of a nationwide project to embed physical activity into peer support groups for those affected by SMI. Following the embedding of physical activity within peer support groups, interviews and focus groups were conducted to explore the experiences of those involved with the project and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The key findings related to: 1) the social aspects of embedding physical activity in the groups; 2) the focus on peer support and informal physical activity (rather than organised sport) being beneficial; 3) doing things differently and lessons to learn; and 4) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, we found that peer support is an important feature to include in projects encouraging those severely affected by mental illness to become more physically active.

Keywords: severe mental illness; peer support; physical activity; mental health; community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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