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Physical activity and Posttraumatic growth. Chichester Centre of Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences (CCASES) Chichester University June 25 th , 2014 Dr. Kate Hefferon, PhD Programme Leader- MSc. Applied Positive Psychology Head of the Posttraumatic Growth Research Unit
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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, PhD Programme Leader- MSc. Applied Positive Psychology Head of the Posttraumatic Growth Research Unit University 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)
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 ‘Once you worry about whether you are going to die, nothing else seems quite as significant to worry about’ (Kennedy, Tellegen, Kennedy, & Havernick, 1976) • Reflection of mortality • Meaning and purpose in life • Finding reasons/making meaning from the trauma • ‘Vulnerability’ and ‘the shortness of time’
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
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
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)
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
HeuristicModel of Corporeal Posttraumatic growth (Hefferon, 2013) Person-Pre trauma Assumptive beliefs Taken-for-granted body Body-related traumatic event (illness, injury) • The body is used as a facilitator and as an outcome of PTG Corporeal Awareness Fear of New body (Vengeful, loss of control) • Sport and Physical activity • Systematic decline in functioning • (Alienation of body from the self) • Reconnection to body • New relationship with body • Increased awareness of health • Listen to body Health behaviour changes (Exercise and diet, cessation of negative health behaviors) • Non-taken-for granted body
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
Conclusions and Considerations • 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
Resources • 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 Education • http://physical.utoronto.ca/FacultyAndResearch/Research_Areas.aspx
Thank you k.hefferon@uel.ac.uk www.katehefferon.com @katehefferon