Understanding the physical activity, body image, and quality of life experiences for young adult males living with and beyond cancer.

Dhruva, Tana

Understanding the physical activity, body image, and quality of life experiences for young adult males living with and beyond cancer.

dc.contributor.advisor	Culos-Reed, Nicole
dc.contributor.author	Dhruva, Tana
dc.contributor.committeemember	Kenny, Sarah
dc.contributor.committeemember	Wagoner, Chad
dc.contributor.committeemember	Langelier, David
dc.contributor.committeemember	Russell-Mayhew, Shelly
dc.date.accessioned	2024-05-06T15:20:10Z
dc.date.available	2024-05-06T15:20:10Z
dc.date.issued	2024-05-02
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: For young adults (YA), cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments may result in physical changes that can negatively impact both body image (BI) and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Physical activity (PA) is an evidence-based tool that has been found to impact both BI and HRQL. However, most research to date has focused on the perspectives of older females and males. To address this gap in the literature, we explored the experiences of PA, BI, and HRQL in YA males living with and beyond cancer. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with YA males (biological sex or those who identify as males) diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 20-39. Eligible participants were recruited through pre-existing exercise oncology studies, support organizations, and social media. Self-reported questionnaires assessed PA (modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), BI (Body Image Scale), and HRQL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General). Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the sample characteristics and questionnaire data. Semi-structured interviews, analyzed using interpretive description, facilitated a deeper understanding of the participants’ experiences of PA, BI, and HRQL. Results: Participants (n= 9; mean age= 33.1 ± 3.6) participated in 180 minutes of physical activity/week (range= 0 – 720 minutes) and reported a leisure score index of 19 (range= 15 – 90), which is considered moderately active. Participants demonstrated low to moderate BI dissatisfaction (range= 11 – 17; median=14) and above average HRQL scores (range= 62 – 79; median= 68). Themes developed from interviews (n= 7) included (1) loss of identity due to cancer, (2) building autonomy and identity using PA, and (3) the “should” behind BI. Conclusion: Based on the findings from this study, PA for YA males may support rebuilding one’s identity and BI. Development of exercise oncology resources for young males may consider addressing BI (through education or programming, such as exercise prescription), with the ultimate goal of enhancing HRQL.
dc.identifier.citation	Dhruva, T. (2024). Understanding the physical activity, body image, and quality of life experiences for young adult males living with and beyond cancer (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/118680
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Kinesiology
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Exercise Oncology
dc.subject	Physical Activity
dc.subject	Body Image
dc.subject	Quality of Life
dc.subject	Young Adult
dc.subject.classification	Oncology
dc.title	Understanding the physical activity, body image, and quality of life experiences for young adult males living with and beyond cancer.
dc.type	master thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Kinesiology
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Master of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.