Social Determinants Associated with Physical Activity among Indigenous Adults at the University of Saskatchewan

Colonization impacts Indigenous Peoples’ way of life, culture, language, community structure and social networks. Links between social determinants of health and physical activity (PA) among Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan, with 16% Indigenous residents, are unclear. This cross-sectional study guided by Indigenous Community Advisors, compared moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), traditional Indigenous PA and musculoskeletal PA with social determinants of Indigenous, (n=124), including First Nations (n=80, including 57 Cree/Nehiyawak) and Métis (n=41), adults in Saskatchewan. Participants completed Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time PA, Social Support Index and traditional Indigenous PA participation questionnaires. Regression associated positive perception of social support with MVPA (R=0.306, p=0.02), while residential school experiences (R=0.338, p=0.02) and community support (R=0.412, p=0.01) were associated with traditional Indigenous PA participation. Among Métis, discrimination experiences were associated with traditional Indigenous PA participation (R=0.459, p=0.01). Traditional Indigenous PA participation was associated with community support among First Nations (R=0.263, p=0.04), and also foster care placement (R=0.480, p=0.01) for Cree/Nehiyawak First Nations specifically. Among Cree/Nehiyawak, family support (R=0.354, p=0.04), discrimination experiences (R=0.531, p=0.01) and positive perceptions of support (R=0.610, p=0.003) were associated with musculoskeletal PA. Greater community, family and perceived social support, and experiences of discrimination, residential school and foster care are associated with more PA for Indigenous Peoples. Novelty: • Positive support perceptions predict physical activity among Indigenous Peoples • Family support, discrimination experiences and positive support perceptions predict physical activity for Cree/Nehiyawak First Nations. Traditional physical activity was predicted by residential school experiences and community support (Indigenous Peoples), discrimination experiences (Métis), community support (First Nations), and foster care experiences (Cree/Nehiyawak)

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Cultural connectedness as a determinant of physical activity among Indigenous adults in Saskatchewan

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2019-0793 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (9) ◽

pp. 937-947 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Avery Ironside ◽

Leah J. Ferguson ◽

Tarun R. Katapally ◽

Heather J.A. Foulds

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

First Nations ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Indigenous Identity ◽

Physically Active ◽

Cultural Connectedness ◽

Activity Groups

Cultural connectedness has been associated with increased self-esteem and mental health among Indigenous Peoples. Physical activity is an important contributor to health, although the importance of culture as a determinant of physical activity for Indigenous Peoples in Canada is unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in cultural connectedness between Indigenous adults in Canada achieving high and low physical activity levels. Questionnaires evaluated cultural connectedness and physical activity. Indigenous adults were classified into high and low physical activity groups at the specific group mean and as meeting or not meeting musculoskeletal activity guidelines of twice per week. First Nations and specifically Cree/Nehiyaw First Nations adults who were more physically active reported greater identity, spirituality, traditions, exploration, commitment, affirmation/belonging, and overall cultural connectedness. Cultural connectedness elements of commitment, exploration, identity, affirmation/belonging, traditions, spirituality, and overall cultural connectedness were not different between high and low physical activity Métis adults. Musculoskeletal activity was not associated with any elements of cultural connectedness among any Indigenous identity. Cultural connectedness is a protective factor for physical activity among First Nations and Cree/Nehiyaw First Nations adults, but not among Métis adults in Canada. Novelty Musculoskeletal activity was not associated with cultural connectedness. Cultural connectedness is a protective factor of physical activity for First Nations adults. Moving away from one’s home community was associated with lower cultural connectedness for Indigenous Peoples.

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Naturally Fit: An Investigation of Experiences in a Women Only Outdoor Recreation Program

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal ◽

10.1123/wspaj.2014-0022 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sandra M. Bosteder ◽

Karen M. Appleby

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Outdoor Recreation ◽

Social Bonding ◽

Support Network ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Expectations ◽

Semistructured Interviews ◽

Outdoor Environments ◽

Positive Support

Researchers have noted several barriers that may exist in relation to women’s pursuit toward and participation in consistent physical activity. These barriers include, but are not limited to, unrealistic social expectations, body image, physique anxiety, evaluation concerns, and lack of a positive support network (Focht & Hausenblas, 2003; Lloyd & Little, 2005; Salvatore & Marecek, 2010; Vrazel, Saunders & Wilcox, 2008). Other researchers have indicated that physical activity pursued in outdoor environments may alleviate some of these barriers (McDermott, 2004). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a feminist framework to qualitatively describe the experiences of participants in an all-female outdoor recreation program in relation to confidence building, motivation to pursue physical activity, and social support. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had been active in the group for two or more years. The results of this study suggest that through participation in this women’s only group, they gained confidence in their physical and leadership abilities, were motivated through both environmental and social means, and experienced social bonding and networking among others. The authors provide applications and recommendations for future research.

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The Misery of Residential School. In Reversing Canada’s Genocide of First Nations.

Canadian Journal of Children s Rights / Revue canadienne des droits des enfants ◽

10.22215/cjcr.v4i1.96 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 4-23

Author(s):

Clive Linklater

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

Residential Schools ◽

Residential School ◽

True Story ◽

Personal Experiences

This is a story about a young Anishinabe-Saulteaux boy, Clive Linklater, who shares his personal experiences in residential school. From his first day at residential school, through the days of endless rules and punishments, he shares his experiences of institutionalized assimilation. This is his story; however, many First Nations children at the time of the Residential School era in Canada had similar experiences of being stripped of their language, culture and connection with their family and community. While this is a difficulty story, it is a true story, and it is also a story of courage, endurance, and perseverance. Although residential schools no longer exist, it is important to continue sharing the truths about this part of Canada’s history. It is with pride that we celebrate the resilience of First Nations Peoples, and all Indigenous Peoples. We are still here.

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A Precarious Confluence: Neoliberalism, Race, and Water Insecurity

Kalfou A Journal of Comparative and Relational Ethnic Studies ◽

10.15367/kf.v5i2.210 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Mascarenhas

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

First Century ◽

People Of Color ◽

Water Insecurity ◽

The Core ◽

Marginalized Groups ◽

Racial Projects ◽

The Us ◽

Us Cities

Three very different field sites—First Nations communities in Canada, water charities in the Global South, and the US cities of Flint and Detroit, Michigan—point to the increasing precariousness of water access for historically marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples, African Americans, and people of color around the globe. This multi-sited ethnography underscores a common theme: power and racism lie deep in the core of today’s global water crisis. These cases reveal the concrete mechanisms, strategies, and interconnections that are galvanized by the economic, political, and racial projects of neoliberalism. In this sense neoliberalism is not only downsizing democracy but also creating both the material and ideological forces for a new form of discrimination in the provision of drinking water around the globe. These cases suggest that contemporary notions of environmental and social justice will largely hinge on how we come to think about water in the twenty-first century.

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Manic Reparation

Bulletin for the Study of Religion ◽

10.1558/bsor.v39i1.003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 7-12

Author(s):

Barbara Greenberg

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

School System ◽

Prime Minister ◽

United Church Of Canada ◽

Residential School ◽

Manic Reparation ◽

Past Injustices

The Canadian public has heard many apologies from various governments and church institutions over the last 20 years. In June 2008 Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized to First Nations for the federal government’s role in the residential school system. First Nations have also received apologies from the United Church of Canada (UCC) for its participation in these schools. Much of the work being done on the process of apology assesses the apology in order to judge if it is convincing and worthwhile.My work asks the question: are apologies effective in their attempt to make amends for past injustices, or are they examples of what Klein calls “manic reparation”?

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Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Physical Activity in High School Students of a Rural Residential School of Gadag District

International Journal of Preventive Curative & Community Medicine ◽

10.24321/2454.325x.201806 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 04 (01) ◽

pp. 27-32

Author(s):

Vasundara S Gayakwad ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

Residential School ◽

School Students ◽

Attitude And Practice ◽

Knowledge Attitude And Practice

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Relationship between Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Task Persistence and Physical Activity in Physical Education Classes

Korean Journal of Sports Science ◽

10.35159/kjss.2019.12.28.6.267 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 267-277

Author(s):

Hak-Gweon Lee ◽

Young-Ho Kim

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Physical Education ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Task Persistence

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The Association Among Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Use of Mobile Apps, and Physical Activity: Structural Equation Models With Mediating Effects (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12606 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Taotao Wang ◽

Mengyuan Ren ◽

Ying Shen ◽

Xiaorou Zhu ◽

Xing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

College Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Support Level ◽

Physical Activity Levels

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a risk factor for chronic noncommunicable diseases. Insufficient physical activity has become an important public health problem worldwide. As mobile apps have rapidly developed, physical activity apps have the potential to improve the level of physical activity among populations. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effect of physical activity apps on levels of physical activity among college students. METHODS A Web-based questionnaire was used to survey college students in Beijing from December 27, 2017, to January 5, 2018. According to a previous survey, 43% of college students using physical activity apps and 36% of those who never used such apps achieved the physical activity recommendations. In this study, the sample size was calculated to be 500. The questionnaire consisted of 5 parts: the use of physical activity apps, sports habits, social support, self-efficacy, and social demographic information. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships between the use of physical activity apps, self-efficacy, social support, and level of physical activity. RESULTS Of the 1245 participants, 384 college students (30.8%) used physical activity apps (in the past month). Of these 384 students, 191 (49.7%) gained new friends via the app. College students who were using physical activity apps had a higher level of physical activity and higher scores for social support and self-efficacy (<italic>P</italic><.001) than those who did not use such apps. The use of physical activity apps significantly affected the mediating effect of physical activity level through social support (beta=.126; <italic>P</italic><.001) and self-efficacy (beta=.294; <italic>P</italic><.001). Gender played an important role in app use, self-efficacy, and physical activity in the mediation model: male users spent more time on physical activity and had higher self-efficacy scores (<italic>P</italic><.001). CONCLUSIONS This study focused on college students in Beijing and found that the use of physical activity apps is associated with higher physical activity levels among these students. This effect is mainly through the mediation effect of social support and self-efficacy, rather than the direct effect of physical activity apps. The use of physical activity apps is associated with a higher social support level and higher self-efficacy score. Furthermore, a high social support level and high self-efficacy score are associated with higher physical activity levels.

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Compounded trauma: A qualitative study of the challenges for refugees living with advanced cancer

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/02692163211000236 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921632110002

Author(s):

Ping Guo ◽

Sawsan Alajarmeh ◽

Ghadeer Alarja ◽

Waleed Alrjoub ◽

Ayman Al-Essa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Psychosocial Support ◽

Large Population ◽

Community Support ◽

Support Network ◽

Psychosocial Needs ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

The Impact

Background: Although palliative care is now an essential health service under Universal Health Coverage, ensuring access and appropriate care for refugees is a specific challenge for this large population. Aim: To identify the needs and experiences of adult refugees in Jordan with advanced cancer and informal caregivers. Design: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Setting/participants: Participants were purposively sampled at two Jordanian hospitals to achieve heterogeneity by age, gender, country of origin, and primary diagnosis. Results: Twenty-nine refugees (22 patients, 7 caregivers) participated, and four themes were generated: (1) Psychological distress and sustaining social support. Refugees often experienced unmet psychosocial needs. However, psychosocial support was reported either absent or limited. (2) Knowledge and uncertainty. Lack of information and poor communication between healthcare providers and patients caused significant distress due to uncertainty. (3) Family anxiety and support roles. Being away from the home country cut patients and caregivers off from their wider social support network, which added increased anxiety and responsibilities to caregivers. (4) Compounded trauma and poverty. Many refugees have experienced trauma related to war that may affect their physical and mental health. They faced serious financial crises caused by the rising cost of medicines and treatment. Conclusions: This study reveals the impact of fractured families and networks on social support in advanced cancer, and the compounding trauma of the disease for refugees. Detailed person-centred assessment and emphasis on psychosocial support is essential, and home-based care should not presume community support for patients to remain at home.

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