Children's experiences of their journey between home and school: A qualitative synthesis using meta-ethnography

Oral Presentation B4.1

Authors

  • Stephanie Morris Durham University
  • Emma R. Lawlor University of Cambridge
  • Louise Foley University of Cambridge
  • Carolyn Summerbell Durham University
  • Jenna Panter University of Cambridge
  • Russell Jago University of Bristol
  • Jean Adams University of Cambridge
  • Tessa Pollard Durham University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.502

Keywords:

Children, Active School Travel, Meta-Ethnography

Abstract

Background: Active school travel is associated with higher habitual physical activity levels in children and aids traffic and pollution reduction. However, interventions to promote active school travel have generally had small or trivial effects. Purpose: This study aimed to synthesise qualitative and ethnographic literature on children’s (aged 5-13) experiences of their usual school journeys to inform future interventions promoting active school travel. Methods: This study comprised three stages: systematic searches of the literature, quality appraisal and qualitative synthesis using meta-ethnography. Searches were conducted in 5 databases and limited to a time-period of 2000-present and 21 papers reporting 18 studies were taken forward to the synthesis stage. Results: Most studies stemmed from high-income English-speaking countries and used self-report qualitative methods, with some utilising participant observation. Through a process of translating the original primary analyses of the study authors, we produced 11 third order constructs which we present in 5 themes: feeling vulnerable; negotiating journeys and managing risks; enjoying engaging with others; exploring material environments; embodied experiences of travel. Conclusions: We argue that the journey to school offers children a process of learning and a site to develop agency within their socio-material environments. Potentially, focusing on the wider benefits of school travel and incorporating informal learning into the journey could be valuable for active school travel interventions. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School of Public Health Research (SPHR), project reference: SPHR-PROG-PCBT-CS2.

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Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Morris, S., Lawlor, E. R., Foley, L., Summerbell, C., Panter, J., Jago, R., Adams, J., & Pollard, T. (2021). Children’s experiences of their journey between home and school: A qualitative synthesis using meta-ethnography: Oral Presentation B4.1. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.502