A grounded theory of how social support influences physical activity in adolescent girls

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Adolescent girls are not sufficiently active to achieve health benefits. Social support from friends and family has been positively associated with physical activity in adolescent girls; however it is unclear how social support influences physical activity behaviour. This study aimed to develop a grounded theory of how social support influences physical activity in adolescent girls. A qualitative, constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted. Individual interviews explored adolescent girls’ perspectives of how significant others’ influenced their physical activity through providing social support, and through modelling physical activity. Participants perceived social support to influence physical activity behaviour through performance improvements, self-efficacy, enjoyment, motivation and by enabling physical activity. Improvements in performance and self-efficacy were also linked to motivation to be active. Girls perceived modelling to influence behaviour through providing opportunities for them to be physically active, and by inspiring them to be active. The grounded theory outlines adolescent girls’ perceptions of how significant others influence their physical activity and provides a framework for future research examining the role of social support on physical activity.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1435099
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalInternational journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being
Volume13
Issue number1
Early online date6 Feb 2018
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 6 Feb 2018

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • co-participation
  • parents
  • modelling
  • friends
  • family
  • encouragement

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