The meanings of outdoor physical activity for parentally bereaved young people in the United Kingdom: insights from an ethnographic study

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the meanings of outdoor physical activity in the natural environment for parentally-bereaved young people. It draws on data generated from a two-year ethnographic study that focused on the experiences of those involved with the Rocky Centre, a childhood bereavement service in the UK. Data was collected via extended periods of participant observation and semi-structured interviews with both staff and service users. One of the key themes to emerge from the analysis was that of physical activity in different environments. The meanings that the parentally-bereaved young people attributed to outdoor physical activity clustered around four sub-themes. These were: sense of freedom; distraction/escapism; retaining memories; and family cohesion. Each of these are considered in detail and their implications for future practice and research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Young people
• Parental death
• Outdoor physical activity
• Adventure therapy
• Ethnography

Notes

1. All names used are pseudonyms to protect the identity of the participants.