scholarly journals “Little things do not get to me anymore”: a qualitative study of older adults’ perspectives on initiating exercise and mindfulness practice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana C. Parra ◽  
Julie Loebach Wetherell ◽  
Alexandria Van Zandt ◽  
Ross Brownson ◽  
Janardan Abhishek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mindfulness practice and exercise are ways by which older adults can improve and maintain their physical, emotional and cognitive health. Methods: This single-site qualitative study gathered insights of older adults’ perceptions about initiating and maintaining mindfulness and exercise practices. We carried out focus groups with 41 adults aged 65-85 who had recently initiated Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), structured exercise, or their combination as part of participation in a clinical trial. We used a semi-structured interview to ask them open-ended questions regarding the benefits, barriers and facilitators of participating in mindfulness and/or exercise interventions. The interview also included questions regarding translation of these practices into community settings as well as the long-term maintenance potential of these practices. Results : Older adults indicated that the mindfulness training increased their awareness and self-reflection and fostered a more self-accepting attitude. Furthermore, they improved their self-care habits and reported having better familial and social relationships. The main barrier for both the exercise and mindfulness group was time management. The social benefits and sense of community were some of the primary motivators for older adults in the exercise and/or MBSR interventions. However, the research on how to motivate older adults to initiate healthy behavioral changes also needs to be answered. The benefits of exercise and MBSR are a motivation in and of themselves, as indicated by some of the participants. Conclusions: This study indicates that mindfulness training and exercise can serve as tools to cultivate important health lifestyle qualities among older adults, who are in the midst of mental, social, emotional and physical change. If it were not for the purpose of the research or the incentives provided by the research team, these older adults may have never started the healthy behavioral changes. From the responses, this may indicate that older adults may need more incentives to begin and maintain behavioral changes other than for their own health benefit.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana C. Parra ◽  
Julie Loebach Wetherell ◽  
Alexandria Van Zandt ◽  
Ross C. Brownson ◽  
Janardan Abhishek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mindfulness practice and exercise are ways by which older adults can improve and maintain their physical, emotional and cognitive health. Methods This single-site qualitative study gathered insights of older adults’ perceptions about initiating and maintaining mindfulness and exercise practices. We carried out focus groups with 41 adults aged 65–85 who had recently initiated Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), structured exercise, or their combination as part of participation in a clinical trial. We used a semi-structured interview to ask them open-ended questions regarding the benefits, barriers and facilitators of participating in mindfulness and/or exercise interventions. The interview also included questions regarding translation of these practices into community settings as well as the long-term maintenance potential of these practices. Results Older adults indicated that the mindfulness training increased their awareness and self-reflection and fostered a more self-accepting attitude. Furthermore, they improved their self-care habits and reported having better familial and social relationships. The main barrier for both the exercise and Mindfulness group was time management. The social benefits and sense of community were some of the primary motivators for older adults in the exercise and/or MBSR interventions. However, the research on how to motivate older adults to initiate healthy behavioral changes also needs to be answered. The benefits of exercise and MBSR are a motivation in and of themselves, as indicated by some of the participants. Conclusions This study indicates that mindfulness training and exercise can serve as tools to cultivate important health lifestyle qualities among older adults, who are in the midst of mental, social, emotional and physical change. If it were not for the purpose of the research or the incentives provided by the research team, these older adults may have never started the healthy behavioral changes. From the responses, this may indicate that older adults may need more incentives to begin and maintain behavioral changes other than for their own health benefit.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana C. Parra ◽  
Julie Loebach Wetherell ◽  
Alexandria Van Zandt ◽  
Ross Brownson ◽  
Janardan Abhishek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mindfulness practice and exercise are ways by which older adults can improve and maintain their physical, emotional and cognitive health. Methods: This single-site qualitative study gathered insights of older adults’ perceptions about initiating and maintaining mindfulness and exercise practices. We carried out focus groups with 41 adults aged 65-85 who had recently initiated Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), structured exercise, or their combination as part of participation in a clinical trial. We used a semi-structured interview to ask them open-ended questions regarding the benefits, barriers and facilitators of participating in mindfulness and/or exercise interventions. The interview also included questions regarding translation of these practices into community settings as well as the long-term maintenance potential of these practices. Results: Older adults indicated that the mindfulness training increased their awareness and self-reflection and fostered a more self-accepting attitude. Furthermore, they improved their self-care habits and reported having better familial and social relationships. The main barrier for both the exercise and Mindfulness group was time management. The social benefits and sense of community were some of the primary motivators for older adults in the exercise and/or MBSR interventions. However, the research on how to motivate older adults to initiate healthy behavioral changes also needs to be answered. The benefits of exercise and MBSR are a motivation in and of themselves, as indicated by some of the participants. Conclusions: This study indicates that mindfulness training and exercise can serve as tools to cultivate important health lifestyle qualities among older adults, who are in the midst of mental, social, emotional and physical change. If it were not for the purpose of the research or the incentives provided by the research team, these older adults may have never started the healthy behavioral changes. From the responses, this may indicate that older adults may need more incentives to begin and maintain behavioral changes other than for their own health benefit. Key Words: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, mindfulness, exercise, older adults, qualitative study


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana C. Parra ◽  
Julie Loebach Wetherell ◽  
Alexandria Van Zandt ◽  
Ross Brownson ◽  
Janardan Abhishek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mindfulness practice and exercise are ways by which older adults can improve and maintain their physical, emotional and cognitive health. Methods: This single-site qualitative study gathered insights of older adults’ perceptions about initiating and maintaining mindfulness and exercise practices. We carried out focus groups with 41 adults aged 65-85 who had recently initiated Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), structured exercise, or their combination as part of participation in a clinical trial. We used a semi-structured interview to ask them open-ended questions regarding the benefits, barriers and facilitators of participating in mindfulness and/or exercise interventions. The interview also included questions regarding translation of these practices into community settings as well as the long-term maintenance potential of these practices. Results: Older adults indicated that the mindfulness training increased their awareness and self-reflection and fostered a more self-accepting attitude. Furthermore, they improved their self-care habits and reported having better familial and social relationships. The main barrier for both the exercise and Mindfulness group was time management. The social benefits and sense of community were some of the primary motivators for older adults in the exercise and/or MBSR interventions. However, the research on how to motivate older adults to initiate healthy behavioral changes also needs to be answered. The benefits of exercise and MBSR are a motivation in and of themselves, as indicated by some of the participants. Conclusions: This study indicates that mindfulness training and exercise can serve as tools to cultivate important health lifestyle qualities among older adults, who are in the midst of mental, social, emotional and physical change. If it were not for the purpose of the research or the incentives provided by the research team, these older adults may have never started the healthy behavioral changes. From the responses, this may indicate that older adults may need more incentives to begin and maintain behavioral changes other than for their own health benefit. Key Words: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, mindfulness, exercise, older adults, qualitative study


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 909-909
Author(s):  
Sofia von Humboldt ◽  
Neyda Ma Mendoza-Ruvalcaba ◽  
José Alberto Ribeiro-Gonçalves ◽  
Gail Low ◽  
Isabel Leal

Abstract Objectives Sexual well-being (SWB) refers to the subjective emotional and cognitive evaluation of the quality of the individual's sexuality, it plays a relevant role in quality of life and health promotion on old age and has cross-cultural implications. The aim of this study is to analyse comparatively the perspectives of older adults on their SWB in Portugal and Mexico. Methods Data were collected from 86 Portuguese and 80 Mexican community-dwelling participants aged 65 years and older, using a semi-structured interview protocol. Older adults were inquired about their perceptions on what contributes to their sexual well-being. Socio-demographic data were also enquired. Content analysis was used to identify key themes. Results Outcomes indicated eight themes: eroticism, supportive relationship, positive self-concept, health and self-care, romance, active life, tenderness and care, and no pain and no pregnancy restrictions, for both samples. Eroticism was the most frequent theme reported by Portuguese participants (31.4%) and health and self-care were the most frequent theme reported by Mexican participants (26.5%). Conclusions The empirical results of this study indicated that SWB is strongly influenced by socio-cultural and psychosocial values. This cross-cultural comparison between Portugal and Mexico contributes to understand this concept in old age with different perspectives and place a scenario for future culture-adapted interventions and comprehensive policies. Keywords: Mexican, older adults; Portuguese; qualitative study; sexual well-being


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-193
Author(s):  
Zahra Aliakbarzadeh Arani ◽  
Nasibeh Zanjari ◽  
Ahmad Delbari ◽  
Mahshid Foroughan ◽  
Gholamreza Ghaedamini Harouni

Background: Place attachment is the emotional bond between individuals and environment, which seems to increase wellbeing in old age. The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of place attachment from older adults’ perspective. Methods: In this qualitative study, a total of 14 older adults were purposively included in Aran and Bidgool city, Isfahan, Iran. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview and analyzed applying a directed content analysis approach. Results: As participants reported, place attachment meant intensive love, pride, dependency, and familiarity with the environment. Socio-economic attachment was identified as the most prevalent dimension of place attachment, followed by affective, physical, autobiographical, and religious-cultural attachment. Conclusion: Our findings provided a new understanding of place attachment in the context of Iran. The concept of place attachment was identified with a multidimensional nature from Iranian older adults’ perspective. Such a multidimensionality of place attachment should be considered while planning for age-friendly cities or the operationalization of the subject of aging in place, particularly in the developing societies, like Iran.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Tumminia ◽  
Shana DeVlieger ◽  
Sharon E Colvin ◽  
Tanner LeBaron Wallace ◽  
Thomas Akiva ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIn recent years mindfulness has gone mainstream, reaching many adolescents through school programs and smartphone applications. Yet there is little empirical understanding of what mindfulness practice is like for adolescents. This qualitative study sought to capture adolescents’ lived experiences as they embarked on a period of intensive mindfulness practice.MethodsThis multi-method qualitative study involved 23 self-selected youth (Mage = 16.35 years, SD = 1.58, 57% girls, 52% White) who participated in a six-day residential mindfulness retreat. Participants wrote reflections about their mindfulness practice each night of the retreat and discussed their experiences in focus groups immediately after the retreat. Data were analyzed using a two-cycle coding process to categorize common patterns of adolescents’ experiences into conceptually meaningful categories. ResultsAdolescents reported an array of experiences of distress from cognitive (83% of adolescents; e.g., self-loathing and rumination), to emotional (87% of adolescents; e.g., sadness), to physical distress (44% of adolescents; e.g., physical pain) during mindfulness training. They also described a range of well-being experiences from cognitive (87% of adolescents; e.g., self-inquiry and discovery), to emotional (65% of adolescents; e.g., acceptance), to social well-being (39% of adolescents; e.g., loving-kindness and connection). Experiences of distress and well-being were relatively balanced overall, yet girls and experienced meditators reported greater distress.ConclusionsThis study paints a descriptive picture of adolescents’ experiences during mindfulness practice and suggests that their experiences during mindfulness might reflect core developmental concerns. Implications for developmental science and adolescent-informed mindfulness training programs are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Isbel ◽  
Mathew J Summers

A capacity model of mindfulness is adopted to differentiate the cognitive faculty of mindfulness from the metacognitive processes required to cultivate this faculty in mindfulness training. The model provides an explanatory framework incorporating both the developmental progression from focussed attention to open monitoring styles of mindfulness practice, along with the development of equanimity and insight. A standardised technique for activating these processes without the addition of secondary components is then introduced. Mindfulness-based interventions currently available for use in randomised control trials introduce components ancillary to the cognitive processes of mindfulness, limiting their ability to draw clear causative inferences. The standardised technique presented here does not introduce such ancillary factors, rendering it a valuable tool with which to investigate the processes activated in this practice.


1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Renata Pinto Ribeiro ◽  
Teresa Francisca Moraes Pinto ◽  
Clarissa Santos Carvalho Ribeiro ◽  
Valdinéa Luiz Hertel

Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi de identificar as dificuldades do profissional enfermeiro frente à criança com câncer, verificar se há preparo adequado para atender às necessidades de uma criança com doenças oncológicas; e qual a forma de enfrentamento utilizada pelo profissional diante das dificuldades encontradas, no atendimento a essa criança. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, objetivando identificar quais dificuldades o profissional de enfermagem enfrenta no cuidado de criança com câncer e de seus familiares, os mecanismos de enfrentamento dessas dificuldades no atendimento dos mesmos e se há preparo adequado dos mesmos para atender as necessidades dessas crianças. Os sujeitos foram quatro enfermeiras que cuidam ou já cuidaram de crianças com câncer no Hospital Bom Pastor – Varginha/MG. A coleta de dados foi desenvolvida por uma entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: Constatou-se que as dificuldades são: cuidar de criança em estado grave, seus pais e o envolvimento emocional. Aos meios de enfrentamento referem à oração e a distração. Quanto ao preparo do profissional referem despreparo para atuar nesta área. Conclusão: Conclui-se que há falta de preparo aos profissionais, embora os mesmos cuidem com humanização dessas crianças.  Palavras-chave: Enfermeiro; Crianças; Câncer.   ABSTRACT: Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the difficulties of the professional nurse when taking care of a child with cancer, check the adequate preparation to meet the needs of children with oncological diseases; and what form of coping with the situation the professionals used when taking care of this child. Methodology: This was a qualitative study , aiming to identify the difficulties the professional faces in the care of children with cancer and their families , the coping mechanisms of these difficulties in the care  and if there is adequate preparation thereof to meet the needs of these children. The subjects were four nurses who care or have cared for children with cancer at Good Shepherd Hospital – Varginha/MG. Data collection was carried out by a semi - structured interview. Results: It was found that the difficulties are care of a child in serious condition, his parents and the emotional involvement. Means of coping relate to prayer and distraction. As to their preparation, professionals refer as being unprepared to act in this area. Conclusion: We concluded that there is lack of preparation of professionals, although they take care of these children in a humanistic way  Keywords: Nurse; children; Cancer.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 367
Author(s):  
María del Carmen Olmos-Gómez ◽  
Francisca Ruiz-Garzón ◽  
Paula Pais-Roldán ◽  
Rafael López-Cordero

This article aimed to analyze, through a qualitative study (i.e., semi-structured interview), the opinions and knowledge of fourth-year future teachers at a Spanish public university (University of Granada) regarding training and the need for first aid (FA) at school. With a sample of 70 subjects in their last year of training, our conclusion is that although they are aware of the importance of first aid for their professional development, there is no such training in their careers, and thus they have great difficulty understanding how to react to emergency situations on the job.


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