Previous experiences and emotional baggage as barriers to lifestyle change - a qualitative study of Norwegian Healthy Life Centre participants

Abstract

BackgroundChanging lifestyle is challenging and difficult. The Norwegian Directorate of Health recommends that all municipalities establish Healthy Life Centres targeted to people with lifestyle issues. Little is known about the background, experiences and reflections of participants. More information is needed about participants to shape effective lifestyle interventions with lasting effect. This study explores how participants in a lifestyle intervention programme describe previous life experiences in relation to changing lifestyle.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative in-depth interviews were performed with 23 participants (16 women and 7 men) aged 18 – 70 years. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation searching for issues describing participants’ responses, and looking for the essence, aiming to share the basis of life-world experiences as valid knowledge.ResultsParticipants identified two main themes: being stuck in old habits, and being burdened with emotional baggage from their previous negative experiences. Participants expressed a wish to change their lifestyles, but were unable to act in accordance with the health knowledge they possessed. Previous experiences with lifestyle change kept them from initiating attempts without professional assistance. Participants also described being burdened by an emotional baggage with problems from childhood and/or with family, work and social life issues. Respondents said that they felt that emotional baggage was an important explanation for why they were stuck in old habits and that conversely, being stuck in old habits added load to their already emotional baggage and made it heavier.ConclusionsBehavioural change can be hard to perform as psychological distress from life baggage can influence the ability to change. The study participants’ experience of being stuck in old habits and having substantial emotional baggage raises questions as to whether or not Healthy Life Centres are able to help participants who need to make a lifestyle change.

Individual user involvement at Healthy Life Centres: a qualitative study exploring the perspective of health professionals

“…This is in line with many other studies showing that an optimal level of involvement depends on both users and professionals having adequate time to build relationships and share knowledge (Angel & Frederiksen, 2015; Leske, Strodl, & Hou, 2012; Rise et al, 2013; Sahlsten et al, 2009; Tobiano et al, 2015). On the other hand, the users’ often complex life challenges and conditions were described as a potential hindrance for user involvement, which is in accordance with other studies pointing out that users’ physical and mental capabilities, severe illness and poor health can impede involvement (Angel & Frederiksen, 2015; Longtin et al, 2010; Rise et al, 2013; Solbjør, Rise, Westerlund, & Steinsbekk, 2013; Tobiano et al, 2015) and health behaviour change (Abildsnes et al, 2017, 2016; Følling et al, 2015). In addition, our findings showed that the building of a trustful relationship and individualization of the service was disturbed by the use of standardized forms which interrupted the communication process.…”

“…The HLCs are easily accessible, and people can attend the service through referral from a general practitioner (GP) or other health care providers or by self-referral (Norwegian Directorate of Health, 2016). The HLCs offers knowledge-based support for changing living habits and coping with health challenges through individual- and group-based counselling and activities, and use client-centred counselling approaches to promote the participants’ internal motivation, empowerment and coping (Abildsnes, Meland, Samdal, Stea, & Mildestvedt, 2016; Følling, Solbjør, & Helvik, 2015; Lerdal, Celius, & Pedersen, 2013; Norwegian Directorate of Health, 2016). …”

Individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes invited to a lifestyle program: characteristics of participants versus non-participants (the HUNT Study) and 24-month follow-up of participants (the VEND-RISK Study)

“…50 The qualitative study that explored a segment of the same sample used in this study found that participants highlighted their surrounding resources as important to maintain healthy habits. 40 In light of our previous findings, 37 40 there may be a gap between the participants from the HUNT3 Survey presented in this study and those referred to lifestyle programs in the primary healthcare in Norway, in that the latter individuals may often already have developed different diseases related to their lifestyle choices. The previous and present results raise questions as to who benefits from lifestyle programs and highlight the importance of prevention programs at a population-based level, such as health promotion strategies that target all individuals.…”

Putting life on hold: lived experiences of people with obesity

“…To date, much of the research on the experiences of people with obesity has focused on their experiences as recipients of health care for obesity .…”