title: Focus on Exercise: Client and Clinician Perspectives on Exercise in Individuals with Serious Mental Illness.
abstract: The health benefits of exercise are well established, yet individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) have a shorter life expectancy due in large part to physical health complications associated with poor diet and lack of exercise. There is a paucity of research examining exercise in this population with the majority of studies having examined interventions with limited feasibility and sustainability. Before developing an intervention, a thorough exploration of client and clinician perspectives on exercise and its associated barriers is warranted. Twelve clients and fourteen clinicians participated in focus groups aimed at examining exercise, barriers, incentives, and attitudes about walking groups. Results indicated that clients and clinicians identified walking as the primary form of exercise, yet barriers impeded consistent participation. Distinct themes arose between groups; however, both clients and clinicians reported interest in a combination group/pedometer based walking program for individuals with SMI. Future research should consider examining walking programs for this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. jbrowne@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.affiliation: Odum Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mihas
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.|Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Penn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Exercise; Focus groups; Health; Serious mental illness; Walking