Scholarlink

<p>Physical activity (PA) has demonstrated significant benefits for individuals experiencing mental distress; however, existing research has predominantly focused on quantitative symptom reduction, overlooking personal recovery and mechanisms underpinning positive outcomes. This study evaluates the ‘Moving Lives, Healthy Minds’ (MLHM) programme—a 24-week community-based PA intervention for service users of two Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs). Employing realist evaluation methodology and the CHIME-D framework, this study explores what works, for whom, and why, by identifying the contextual and causal mechanisms behind experienced outcomes.Data were collected through a combination of exploratory and realist interviews, as well as repertory grids, with 17 mental health service users (MHSUs) who engaged with MLHM sessions. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and refined within context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations. Findings revealed that PA sessions acted as a catalyst for personal recovery by fostering connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment—five outcomes that align closely with CHIME-D. Notable contextual challenges experienced by MHSUs, such as social isolation, low self-confidence, lack of routine, and perceived stagnation in care, were addressed through MLHM offering MHSUs safe spaces for social engagement, opportunities to feel valued within a group and to challenge and better self, and routine creation. This study contributes to a growing body of literature exploring PA’s role in personal recovery. By moving beyond outcome measurement to examine underlying mechanisms, this research enhances understanding of how PA interventions can be designed and implemented to support meaningful recovery journeys in mental health service users.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Who, Why and How Community Mental Health Service Users Benefit From a Physical Activity Program: A Realist Evaluation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月9日

查看全文
  • Laura Scoles,
  • Tony Myers,
  • Mark Holland,
  • Adam Benkwitz

摘要

Physical activity (PA) has demonstrated significant benefits for individuals experiencing mental distress; however, existing research has predominantly focused on quantitative symptom reduction, overlooking personal recovery and mechanisms underpinning positive outcomes. This study evaluates the ‘Moving Lives, Healthy Minds’ (MLHM) programme—a 24-week community-based PA intervention for service users of two Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs). Employing realist evaluation methodology and the CHIME-D framework, this study explores what works, for whom, and why, by identifying the contextual and causal mechanisms behind experienced outcomes.Data were collected through a combination of exploratory and realist interviews, as well as repertory grids, with 17 mental health service users (MHSUs) who engaged with MLHM sessions. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and refined within context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations. Findings revealed that PA sessions acted as a catalyst for personal recovery by fostering connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment—five outcomes that align closely with CHIME-D. Notable contextual challenges experienced by MHSUs, such as social isolation, low self-confidence, lack of routine, and perceived stagnation in care, were addressed through MLHM offering MHSUs safe spaces for social engagement, opportunities to feel valued within a group and to challenge and better self, and routine creation. This study contributes to a growing body of literature exploring PA’s role in personal recovery. By moving beyond outcome measurement to examine underlying mechanisms, this research enhances understanding of how PA interventions can be designed and implemented to support meaningful recovery journeys in mental health service users.