Narrative environments and the capacity of disability narratives to motivate leisure-time physical activity among individuals with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Purpose: Few individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) engage in the recommended amount of leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Yet little is known about how, and why, active individuals engage in specific types of LTPA. This study explored how a unique narrative environment and disability narratives motivated individuals with SCI to engage in LTPA. Method: Fourteen individuals with SCI from a physical activity program participated in approximately hour-long interviews. Interviews were then subjected to a narrative analysis. Results: Individuals who used a restitution narrative (n = 6) were motivated to engage in functional LTPA because of the desire to maintain the body and restore the past self. The individual who used the chaos narrative (n = 1) preferred solitary LTPA as exposure to others with SCI was a constant reminder of the lost, pre-injury self. Individuals who used a quest narrative (n = 7) explored LTPA options that fit with their interests; these individuals were open to new types of LTPA, such as sport and outdoor recreation. Conclusion: The plot of three disability narratives can all motivate the pursuit of LTPA; however, not all types of LTPA are seen as equal. LTPA interventions can be enhanced through the lessons learned from this unique type of environment.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Despite individuals’ views about their disability, they can still be motivated to engage in routine LTPA.

• Different theoretical determinants, such as health or social benefits, hold different relevance for LTPA among individuals with differing disability narratives.

• The environment provided by practitioners can therefore elicit some stories of SCI while stifling others. Open narrative environment will attract individuals to listen and maintain involvement in LTPA.

• Leisure time physical activity
• narrative inquiry
• spinal cord injury

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our appreciation to the staff and clients at Active Rehabilitation for sharing their lives with us, and allowing us to write about them.