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Physical Exercise and Psychological Well-being among People with Chronic Illness and DisabilityA Grounded ApproachUlster Community and Hospitals Trust, Northern Ireland, rodger_g_graham{at}yahoo.co.uk
Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Edmonton, Alberta This qualitative study describes the effect of exercise on psychological well-being among individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities such as stroke, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Eleven users of a physical disability daycentre completed a novel, six-month, group-based programme of seated exercise provided by the first author. Results from grounded analyses of in-depth interviews provide evidence that exercise offers a powerful means to actively manage mood problems associated with disability, to preserve and cultivate personal identity in a positive manner and to connect with others and one's own body in ways which limit the development of illness-related psychological distress. Implications for the development of further research and future provision of similar services are discussed.
Key Words: disability exercise illness physical activity
Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 13, No. 4,
447-458 (2008) |
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