Confidence and self-efficacy
help-seeking behavior, ’d, arthritis pain
STILL
A number of participants also expressed “feeling good” about taking part in a physical activity programme, achieving targets, and personal goals. The latter two elements are key features of the programme and identified as facilitators of within-programme engagement by participants. Participants who self-selected into an instructor-led group highlighted a sense of satisfaction that came from being a member of a group, including sense of accomplishment, empowerment and motivation.As the weeks progressed, I started to do more. I started to pick the pace up a bit. Still not fast but I remember one day walking with the other gentleman and we overtook two people and I haven’t overtaken anybody in a long time. That was a baby step, that was a milestone for me. It’s not much to a lot of people but overtaking someone was brilliant. P3: Male, age 58 (Instructor-led)While questionnaire evidence did not strongly demonstrate improvements in self-efficacy (arthritis pain, symptoms, or physical activity), data suggest reduced levels of perceived helplessness and enhanced outcome expectations for exercise (I think the main thing it gave to me was a bit of empowerment because it told me how I should be exercising properly. I already had exercises for strengthening my muscles, but it told me the best way to exercise for going on a walk. I think also the fact it told me that I can’t hurt myself walking, was great, because up until then I was worried that I’d get older and older, and sorer and sorer. So, I no longer feel it’s necessarily the case. P23: Male, age 64 (Instructor-led)There was a general awareness of and increased desire to address health, improved self-care, and help-seeking behavior through changes in daily routine or lifestyle activities through participating in the programme. Several participants reported that they had been encouraged to increase their activity levels in their everyday life.That’s what I learnt, to be more active. Leave the car a bit away and have a short walk. It doesn’t need to be a long walk. P27: Female, age 67 (Instructor-led)Others had reframed their belief in their ability to be active and started to undertake other types of physical activity.The fact that it gave me … I felt a bit more confident about doing stuff, which resulted in going along because I knew there was the over 55 badminton.P51: Male, age 64 (Instructor-led)
P26: Female, age 61 (Instructor-led)