Exercising alcohol patients don’t lack motivation but struggle with structures, emotions and social context - a qualitative dropout study

Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, the development of which is a relapse prevention strategy for those with alcohol use disorder. However, it is a challenge to create exercise interventions with a persistent behavioural change.

The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate perceived barriers to participation in an exercise intervention among alcohol use disorder patients, who dropped out of the intervention program. Furthermore, this study aims to propose possibilities for a better practice of future intervention studies based on the participants’ experiences and suggestions.

Methods

Qualitative interviews with 17 patients who dropped out from an exercise intervention in an outpatient treatment centre about their experiences and reasons for dropping out. Social cognitive theory informed the development of the interview guides and systematic text condensation was used for analysis.

Results

Analysis revealed three central themes: 1) Structural barriers described as the type of exercise and the timing of the intervention, 2) Social barriers described as need for accountability and unsupportive relations, and 3) Emotional barriers described as fear, guilt and shame, and negative affect of the intervention on long term.

Conclusions

Future exercise interventions should include socio-psychological support during the first weeks, begin shortly after treatment initiation instead of concurrently, and focus on garnering social support for participants in both the intervention context and among their existing network in order to best reduce barriers to participation.

Link til artikkel

  • Forfattere: Sari, Sengül; Muller, Ashley; Roessler, Kirsten Kaya
  • Publisert: BMC Family Practice 2017 ;Volum 18.(45) s
Publisert 23. mars 2017 00:00 - Sist endret 9. mai 2017 10:35