Let's get physical?
For years, scientists have noted a link between physical activity and improved symptoms of mental illness; however, to date, physical activity is not often suggested to patients. Anderson and colleagues wanted to understand what influences the advice that is most commonly given to those with a mental illness, as well as the physician’s motivations behind said advice. Understanding how and why mental health care professionals recommend physical activity to their patients will allow us, as medical consumers, to understand how improving the physical health of an individual with mental illness can additionally improve their mental health.
Researchers conducted four focus groups, which consisted of a variety of members in the mental healthcare field, in order to study the research question. Participants were asked about their beliefs about the effectiveness of physical activity in improving mental health, as well as the factors that would make it easier/more difficult to advise an individual to engage in more physical activity. Researchers used qualitative analysis to compare the participants responses, and to find an common answer/theme for each of the questions.
Through their focus group, researchers found that mental healthcare workers were in agreement that the consequences of physical activity on mental illness are generally positive. On the other hand, some participants felt that offering physical advice could damage the patient-therapist relationship. A number of participants also believed that a patient with a mental illness would be poorly motivated to listen to advice that is rooted in physical improvement, as they may not feel a direct benefit towards their mental state.
The findings of this study have important implications for the way healthcare practitioners interact with patients diagnosed with mental illness. While a therapist has the responsibility to ensure patients are given all possible options to improve their well-being, it is clear that the relationship between therapist and client should not be affected as a result. This study opens the door for a research focus on ways that a therapist can both improve the relationship they have with their client as well as the client’s overall well-being.
Source:
Anderson, S., Bradley, E., Currie, A., Leyland, S., and Ling, J. Offering physical advice to people with serious mental illness: the beliefs of mental health professionals. Mental and Physical Activity. 15, 1-6.
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