Physically active leisure constraints and facilitators in a racially diverse rural setting

Osgood, Keren

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/29746 Copy

Description

Title

Physically active leisure constraints and facilitators in a racially diverse rural setting

Author(s)

Osgood, Keren

Issue Date

2012-02-06T20:14:14Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Son, Julie S.

Department of Study

Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Discipline

Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• physically active leisure
• rural adults
• social cognitive theory
• facilitators
• constraints
• interventions

Abstract

Background: This qualitative study investigates physically active leisure and health in a population of racially diverse rural adults, aiming to describe physically active leisure in the town of Carington, IL, as well as to identify key constraints and facilitators to physically active leisure participation among community members. The ultimate purpose is to inform physically active leisure interventions to promote overall health and well-being in Carington and similar communities. Methods: Twenty-four community leaders (5 African American, 7 male) took part in semi-structured qualitative interviews in October - December, 2007. Forty-four residents (average age 52 years, range 18 to 85 years, 8 male) took part in 4 focus groups during the same time period. Leaders represented such community organizations as schools, churches, recreation groups, social service organizations, the local hospital, and area businesses. Focus groups targeted specific subpopulations within the community: African Americans, low income residents, older adults, and healthcare workers. Data was coded according to prominent themes and analyzed by both manifest content and latent content analysis. Results: Participants described opportunities for physically active leisure as widely available, though community members were seen as insufficiently active. Structural constraints came up more often than either intrapersonal or interpersonal constraints. Key facilitators participants cited included organizational support, negotiation strategies, and enjoyment. Leaders spoke about partnerships more than residents. African American participants tended to indicate more constraints than other participants. Discussion: The key to increasing participation in physically active leisure in Carington may be through increasing motivation for negotiation resulting in participation despite constraints. Ultimately, there is potential for the factors identified in this study to inform health-promoting physically active leisure interventions in this setting.

Graduation Semester

2011-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29746

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2011 Keren Osgood

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