Choosing Where to Put Your Energy: A Qualitative Analysis of the Role of Physical Activity in the Lives of Working Adults With Arthritis

Abstract

Objective. Research points to many potential benefits of physical activity (PA) for those with arthritis. However, PA has not typically been examined within the context of other life roles. This study examined the perceptions of PA among individuals managing arthritis in addition to employment and other role demands. Methods. Eight focus groups were conducted with 24 women and 16 men (age range 29 -72 years) who were currently or recently employed (within 2 years) and had osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis. Participants were recruited from community newspaper advertisements, rheumatology clinics, and arthritis groups. Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results. All groups discussed the impact of arthritis on a range of PAs. Overall, participants discussed PA as positively influencing their health and well-being. Yet, several overarching themes highlighted the complexity of PA, including 1) PA as a potential cause of arthritis; 2) the reciprocal impact of arthritis on PA and PA on arthritis; 3) physical and psychological benefits and harms of PA, such as difficulty making PA decisions when living in pain or when faced with episodic symptoms; 4) perceived choices about engagement in PA (e.g., role overload); and 5) social support. Conclusion. The relationships among work, health, and other roles were complex. Competing demands, pain, energy, episodic symptoms, support, and decisions to disclose one's illness at work influenced PA. Changes to PA not only affected physical health but also people's self-identity. PA interventions may be improved by taking into account the demands of multiple life roles.

Exploring self-control of workers with a chronic condition: a qualitative synthesis

“…These synthesis findings emphasized that having a chronic condition further complicates the matter, since the worker needs to balance their work and personal lives while continuously managing their chronic condition and symptoms. This finding is in accordance with other literature on work-life balance and chronic conditions (Bedell, 2008;Gignac et al, 2014;Kaptein et al, 2013). Grawitch et al, who studied work-life balance in light of selfregulation, control and decision making, showed that active decisions need to be made to allocate resources, such as energy which is usually a scarce resource in workers with a chronic condition (Grawitch, Barber, & Justice, 2010).…”

Working with Persistent Pain: An Exploration of Strategies Utilised to Stay Productive at Work

“…Participants in the current study described numerous examples of behaviours aimed at matching their capacities to the work environment, including the prioritization of other activities to ensure they had sufficient energy to maintain their paid employment, and is consistent with the findings of others [31].…”

Participants’ experiences of an Education, self-management and upper extremity eXercise Training for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis programme (EXTRA)

“…They stated that written materials alone would be insufficient to support exercise uptake, concurring with previous research [35,[37][38][39]. Exercising with and observing others with RA, in addition to receiving support from family members and friends, encouraged most participants to change their exercise behaviour, as posited by the SCT.…”