Experiences of body image and social support in physical activity programs among older adult women
| dc.contributor.advisor | McDonough, Meghan | |
| dc.contributor.author | Patterson, Michelle C. | |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Culos-Reed, Susan Nicole | |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Hewson, Jennifer A. | |
| dc.date | 2019-11 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-08-02T18:40:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2019-08-02T18:40:10Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019-08-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Body image is an emerging area of research for older women as they may experience societal pressures in relation to the body while concurrently experiencing physical decline associated with aging. Social support may impact how one feels about the body in times of coping with difficulties, as well as promoting thriving when feeling positively about the body. Group physical activity programs are an opportunity to address body image through benefits of physical activity on how one views the body as well as providing access to social networks that may positively impact body image. The current study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of body image and social support in physical activity programs. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 women aged 65 and older, who participated in drop in group physical activity classes at a community recreation centre. The study was guided by interpretive description and interview questions pertained to how body image was impacted by social support, and physical activity. The group physical activity context allowed women to make comparisons with others and to engage in discussions with others, that helped to feel positively about the body. Women also discussed the role of the instructor in facilitating participation in activity that allowed them to feel positively about the body. Both support in times of non-adversity and support in times of coping with body difficulties, helped to create a positive experience in physical activity and with the body. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Patterson, M. C. (2019). Experiences of body image and social support in physical activity programs among older adult women (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/36790 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1880/110694 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | en_US |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Kinesiology | en_US |
| dc.publisher.institution | University of Calgary | en |
| 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. | en_US |
| dc.subject | Body Image | en_US |
| dc.subject | Physical Activity | en_US |
| dc.subject | Social Support | en_US |
| dc.subject.classification | Mental Health | en_US |
| dc.subject.classification | Psychology--Social | en_US |
| dc.title | Experiences of body image and social support in physical activity programs among older adult women | en_US |
| dc.type | master thesis | en_US |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Kinesiology | en_US |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Calgary | en_US |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science (MSc) | en_US |
| ucalgary.item.requestcopy | true | en_US |