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

Heuristic 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

k.hefferon@uel.ac.uk

www.katehefferon.com

@katehefferon

Thank you