Self-Schemata and Exercise Identity in Older Adults

Abstract

One's sense of self over time, or identity, is an important component of well-being. Schemata formed from components of identity, such as an exerciser schema, have been associated with behaviors that promote physical activity. This study explored the process of exercise-identity formation in active older adults, questioned whether or not the term exerciser was a meaningful descriptor for their behavior, and examined whether self-views were mediated by perceptions of aging. Thirteen older adults (66–90 years) were interviewed. Results supported the contention that identity formation is a purposeful activity. Participants were more likely to ascribe alternative labels to their exercise behavior, and what it meant to be “old” mediated their perceptions of exercise. Results are discussed with regard to implications for interventions.

Psychosocial wellbeing in active older adults: A systematic review of qualitative literature

“…There was one case study with a single participant (Roper, Molnar, & Wrisberg, 2003); nine studies had more than one but fewer than 50 participants (Dionigi, 2006b;Dionigi, Horton, & Baker, 2013a, 2013bDionigi, Horton, & Bellamy, 2011;Grant, 2001; Leavy & Aberg, 2010;Stathi, Fox, & McKenna, 2002;Whaley & Ebbeck, 2002;Wing, 2008); and three studies had over 100 participants (Dionigi, 2002a(Dionigi, , 2002bDionigi & O'Flynn, 2007).…”

“…As Dionigi, Horton, and Baker (2013b) suggest, an identity constructed on physically capability, may be maladaptive when faced with inevitable physical decline. It is however important to note that the strength of this finding is questionable, as not all studies addressed the concept of self-identity and in those that did one exercise study found conflicting results which suggest that some physically active older adults search for broader descriptions of self (Whaley & Ebbeck, 2002).Resistance to dominant negative stereotypes also appears to be consistent across groups. Paradoxically, in resisting negative stereotypes there is also a tendency to reproduce PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLBEING 18 these same stereotypes as part of the differentiation process.…”

“…Most participants spoke of someone else as being 'old' and did not see themselves as fitting the definition (Dionigi, Horton, & Bellamy, 2011;Whaley & Ebbeck, 2002;Wing, 2008). According to participants, 'old' was associated with negatives such as sedentary behaviour and physical limitations.…”

“…This grouping strategy was based on previous research that suggests that differences may exist between athletes and nonathletes (Eman, 2012;Phoenix, Faulkner, & Sparkes, 2005). Grouping firstly allowed for the identification of and journal (Whaley & Ebbeck, 2002). Whilst all samples were described as physically active older adults, definitions of exercise and physical activity varied greatly across all five studies with some definitions being more explicit and rigid than others.…”

“…This comparison revealed that differences in subjective experiences did exist between those who engaged in different levels of exercise. This suggests that results may be limited in their generalizability to all physically active older adults due to variance in both individual experience and exercise definition.The findings from two studies (Stathi, Fox, & McKenna, 2002;Whaley & Ebbeck, 2002) were viewed with caution for several reasons; first, Whaley and Ebbeck (2002) were participant observers (disguised) engaging in participant exercise classes for two weeks prior to interviewing, their engagement with participants increased the risk of both interviewer bias and response bias. Secondly, emerging themes in the Whaley and Ebbeck study were not made explicit and very few extracts from participant interviews were included to support study findings, this made it difficult to substantiate the study's results.…”