Moving through COVID-19: a methodological account of understanding physical activity behaviour in relation to mental health among university students
Oral Presentation C3.5
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.663Keywords:
Psychological Distress, Physical Activity, Mixed-Methods, University Students, Mental Health Well-BeingAbstract
Background: Physical activity (PA) has numerous mental health benefits, including positive effects on symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression: conditions impacting students that have increased since the pandemic began. Personal safety concerns and COVID-19-related recreation facility closures have resulted in many students’ PA decreasing. Alternatively, others have maintained their engagement. Understanding this dichotomy in relation to student well-being is essential for developing future interventions. Purposes: (Phase 1) Examine associations between PA behaviour, mental health indices, and COVID-19-related restrictions among students; and (Phase 2) Explore facilitators and barriers to PA engagement and views on mental wellness qualitatively. Methods: This study will use a mixed-methods design and seek to enroll 150 full-time Lakehead University students. For Phase I, an on-line survey exploring PA behaviour, COVID-restrictions, and mental health indices will be administered in September and November 2021. Data will be analyzed using multiple linear regressions. For Phase II, focus groups will be conducted with a subset of Phase I participants; a semi-structured interview guide will be used. Transcripts will be analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: It is hypothesized that an inverse relationship will be observed between degree of PA and mental health indices. It is expected that the qualitative phase will reveal unique insights into reasons for engagement and future programming recommendations. Conclusions: Obtaining these data is an important step in determining what is/not working well for students in this context. Study findings will be used to inform the development of a student-informed mental health promoting PA intervention. Funding: Study funded by Bell Let’s Talk Post-Secondary Fund
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Copyright (c) 2021 Brenden Degiacomo, Samantha Morris, Ian Newhouse, Erin S. Pearson, Leanne Smith
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