Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Jill Nolan

Abstract

Mental health issues, specifically anxiety and depression, continue to be a public health crisis in the United States. Despite the established therapies of pharmacology and cognitive behavioral therapy, not all patients seek or find relief using these methods. Therefore, other treatment strategies need to be studied. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the experiences of health educators who use physical activity as a strategy for anxiety and depression management among middle-aged women as well as their own attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral controls. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was leveraged as the theoretical foundation for the study as it provided the framework to understand a person’s behavioral intentions. Purposeful sampling was the approach for recruitment of participants who met the inclusion criteria. Semistructured, virtual, face-to-face interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed to identify categories and themes; data collection was completed when saturation was achieved. A total of 10, virtual or telephonic, interviews were conducted with health educators who recommended physical activity as a strategy for anxiety and depression management to middle-aged women. Data were analyzed leveraging Quirkos to identify eight emergent themes. Participants expressed their professional knowledge, subsequent confidence, and personal significance with physical activity and how that guided their recommendations to align with mental health professionals. Outcomes of this study could influence positive social change by identifying an additional strategy, physical activity, as a successful alternative, alone or in combination, with traditional therapies. Improving mental health is positive social change in action.

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