physical activity and posttraumatic growth chichester centre of applied sport and exercise sciences...
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Physical activity and Posttraumatic growth
Chichester Centre of Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences (CCASES)Chichester University
June 25th, 2014
Dr. Kate Hefferon, PhDProgramme Leader- MSc. Applied Positive Psychology
Head of the Posttraumatic Growth Research UnitUniversity of East London
London, UK
Outline
Physical activity and well-being
Post-traumatic Growth (PTG)
Corporeal Posttraumatic Growth
Conclusions and questions
Physical activity and Wellbeing
Physical activity is a ‘stellar’ method of intervening to promote well-being (Hefferon & Mutrie, 2012)
Reduces the risk of developing several diseases
Produces both hedonic and eudaimonic experiences of well-being including: positive emotions, self esteem, body image, cognitive functioning, psychological well being, posttraumatic growth, flow, purpose in life, etc.
Mens sana in corpore sano: Healthy body = healthy mind (Somatopsychic Principle)
Build psychological and emotional strength via the building of physical strength (Faulkner, Hefferon & Mutrie, In press)
Psychological Resilience
“the flexibility in response to changing situational demands, and the ability to bounce back from negative emotional experiences”
(Tugade, Fredrickson, & Barrett, 2004b, p. 1169)
• Recovery, resistance and reconfiguration (Lepore & Revenson, 2006)
Recovery
Resistance
Reconfiguration
Posttraumatic growth (PTG)
“It is through this process of struggling with adversity that changes may arise that propels the individual to a higher level of functioning than which existed prior to the event.”(Linley & Joseph, 2004, p. 11)
• 40-70% experience some positive benefits from trauma
• Focus is not to advocate suffering as a situation worth striving for, but rather to examine the phenomenon in which suffering and grief can co-exist with enlightenment and growth (Linley and Joseph, 2004)
1) Perceived changes in self Becoming stronger
More confident New awareness of a possible self authentic self A ‘better self’ Deeper More open More empathetic More creative More alive More mature More humanitarian More special More humble
(Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1995, p. 456).
2) Improved relationships
Closer relationships with family and/or friends
Neighbours
Fellow trauma survivors
Strangers
Find out who “True friends” are
3) Changing life philosophy/increased existential
awareness Reflection of mortality
Meaning and purpose in life
Finding reasons/making meaning from the trauma
‘Vulnerability’ and ‘the shortness of time’
‘Once you worry about whether you are going to die, nothing else seems quite as significant to worry about’
(Kennedy, Tellegen, Kennedy, & Havernick, 1976)
4) Changed priorities How and with whom they decided to spend their day
Appearance
Nature
Monetary goods
Health
New appreciation of life (calling it a ‘gift’)
The ‘here and now’
Simple things
Time
Change life goals
Learn new skills
Go back to school
5) Enhanced spiritual beliefs
Increased spirituality
Return to faith
Spiritual practices
Praying
Attending church
Gratitude to God
Strengthening of faith
Bereavement
Importance and existence differs across culture
(Tedeschi et al., 2010)
Example of growth
“And it’s…and I feel my life’s better! I know it sounds crazy (laughs), but I feel the quality of my life is better because (sniffles) I’ve prioritized (sniffles) and I know what matters.”
Brenda, Cancer survivor
Benefits of PTG
Physical activity and PTG Physical activity and sport in facilitation and as an outcome
of posttraumatic growth
Breast cancer patients
Spinal cord injury
Paralympians
Severe and enduring mental health service users
Acquired disability
Very new research area
Predominantly qualitative research
Breast cancer patients
Exercise intervention during chemotherapy
Women attributed much of their process and outcomes of PTG to the experience of participating in the exercise programme during rehabilitation
Physical Activity as BOTH a facilitator and an outcome
Physical activity: “Savior” during difficult time
Physical activity as an outcome of PTG
5-year follow up of physical activity intervention
70% of those who serendipitously reported PTG were in the original exercise intervention
Suggests “window of opportunity” (teachable moment)
(Mutrie et al., 2012; Hefferon, 2012; Hefferon et al., 2013; Murphy et al., in press)
Main Theme Subtheme
Gone off track Loss of physical selfLoss of confident selfEndeavour
Social re-integration Free to ‘Be’
Class constituents WayneEvoke power
Main Theme Subtheme
Praise of class A focused challengeHealthy escapeCamaraderie
Wayne Superstar statusProxy EfficacyWayne's gym
Path to Metamorphosis
Lost and foundSomato-psychic principle in practiceHeightened awareness of health
Paralympians (Kampan, 2013; Kampman and Hefferon, 2014;)
Reconnection to the body(Hefferon, Grealy & Mutrie, 2009; 2010)
In traumas where the body has been damaged or altered, the body has been found to be:
1) A vital component to the process and outcomes of PTG
2) Integral component to their self identity (influencing PTG facilitation)
Participants discuss visceral experiences not mentioned in current tools
They can experience dramatic changes to their body which can make them feel a sense of betrayal by their body (as the transgressor)
PTG can be experienced via the renegotiation of this corporeal relationship
Body-related traumatic event
(illness, injury)
Person-Pre trauma
Corporeal Awareness
Fear of New body (Vengeful, loss of control)
Systematic decline in functioning
(Alienation of body from the self)
Reconnection to body
New relationship with body
Listen to body
Non-taken-for granted body
The body is used as
a facilitator and as an outcome of PTG
Increased awareness of health
Health behaviour changes (Exercise and diet, cessation of negative
health behaviors)
Assumptive beliefs Taken-for-granted body
Preliminary Model of Corporeal Posttraumatic growth (Hefferon, 2013)
Sport and Physical activity
Current Projects Posttraumatic Growth Research Unit (UEL)
PTG and acquired disability within Paralympians
PTG and acquired disability within leisure sports
Passion, peak performance and PTG (Olympic and Paralympic sports) (English Institute of Sport)
PTG and Wheelchair Basketball (London)
PTG interventions (E-mpower)
Corporeal Posttraumatic Growth Scale development
Physical activity can be utlised to increase both physical and psychological well being
Posttraumatic growth is the phenomenon of surpassing previous levels of functioning than which existed before a traumatic event occurred
Research into Sport, Physical activity and PTG is a rapidly expanding area
There is a need for further multi-method evaluations of these links
Ultimately, there is a need for a more corporeal approach to PTG following trauma
Conclusions and Considerations
www.katehefferon.com
Posttraumatic Growth Research Unithttp://www.uel.ac.uk/psychology/research/PTGunit/
Hefferon, K. (2013). Positive Psychology and the Body: The somatopsychic side to flourishing. London: Open University Press.
Joseph, S. (2011). What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth. Basic Books.
Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth (CTRG) Nottingham University http://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/local-services/specialist-services/prescribed-services/trauma/
University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Educationhttp://physical.utoronto.ca/FacultyAndResearch/Research_Areas.aspx
Resources
www.katehefferon.com
@katehefferon
Thank you