Group Cohesion and Social Support in Exercise Classes: Results From a Danish Intervention Study
Tóm tắt
This study examines the formation of group cohesion and social support in exercise classes among former sedentary adults, participating in a Danish community-based intervention. Furthermore, the aim is to analyze the impact of this process on exercise activity among the participants. A multimethod approach was used, analyzingboth survey data and 18 personalinterviews collected among87 participantswho completedthe intervention project. Analysis was performed according to the grounded theory method. The formation of group cohesion was conditioned by the social composition of the group, the teaching ability by the instructors, and the activity by itself. The cohesive group was characterized by an attitude of mutual support toward exercise activities. This mutual support facilitated development of self-efficacy beliefs among the participants improving their mastery expectation regarding exercise. Manipulating group dynamics may be a promising intervention tool in the promotion of leisure-time physical activity.
Từ khóa
Tài liệu tham khảo
Bandura, A., 1986, Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory
Bandura, A., 1998, Self-efficacy: The exercise of control
Blair, S. N., 1994, Advances in exercise adherence, 31
Carron, A. V., 1998, Advances in sport and exercise psychology measurement, 213
Caspersen, C. J., 1994, Advances in exercise adherence, 73
Christensen, U. (1999).Social support and exercise activity: An evaluation of a local intervention project (in Danish). Doctoral thesis, University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen Health Services, Denmark.
Institute for Disease Prevention for the Healthy City Project, 1996, Citizens'Health, Copenhagen 1996
Kjøller, M., 2002, Danish Health and Morbidity Survey 2000
Kjøller, M., 1995, The Danish Health and Morbidity Survey 1994
Kuzel, A. J., 1992, Doing qualitative research, 31
Lennéer-Axelson, B., 1993, Group psychology, 3
Oka, R. K., 1995, Womens Health, 1, 161
1996, Physical activity and health: A report of the surgeon general
Strauss, A., 1990, Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques
Villenueve, P. J., 1998, Epidemiology, 9, 626
Yalom, I. D., 1975, The theory and practice of group psychotherapy, 2