Belief, hope and help from others: a qualitative study on what facilitates physical activity in people with depression

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Worldwide, there are more than 264 million people with depression, which is the second-leading cause of years lived with disability. Physical activity can be useful in both preventing and treating mild to moderate depression, but few studies have explored patients’ experience of physical activity.

Purpose

To explore experiences of facilitators to initiate and maintain regular physical activity in people with depression.

Methods

Adults of working age with mild to moderate depression participated in semi-structured interviews. Two researchers analyzed the data using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Four categories were identified: 1) Getting over the threshold; 2) Hoping for improvement; 3) A wish to be independent but needing help; and 4) Feeling safe on one’s own terms.

Conclusion

The results indicate that knowledge and personal experience of how physical activity affects well-being, and an environment including social support, increase the possibilities for people with depression to initiate and maintain physical activity. To promote physical activity, it is important to be receptive to the person’s experiences, desires, and needs and to involve them in the planning and adjustment of physical activity. Follow-up appointments, a stepwise approach, and encouragement are important to increase motivation.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical activity
• depressive disorders
• motivation
• qualitative research
• physiotherapy

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank the participants for their time and for sharing their experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Sparbanksstiftelsen Halland, Annette Heijnes memorial fund.