Individual and environmental factors associated with participation in physical activity as adolescents transition to secondary school: A qualitative inquiry
Date
2020
Authors
McGaughey, Tomoko
Vlaar, Janae
Naylor, Patti-Jean
Hanning, Rhona M.
Le Mare, Lucy
Mâsse, Louise C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
The transition from elementary to secondary school is an emotionally and socially complex
time when adverse behaviors appear, such as decreased levels of physical activity (PA). Behavioral and
environmental factors that influence PA during this time are poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to
identify factors that influence PA as adolescents transition to secondary school. Qualitative interviews
were conducted with a sample of 27 ethnically diverse child–parent dyads within the public-school
system in British Columbia, Canada (50% boys, 68% mothers, 25% White). The interviews probed for
environmental and behavioral factors in school, family, and social contexts that potentially initiated
changes in PA, specifically related to the adolescents’ transitions. Interviews were recorded and
transcribed verbatim. Thematic analyses identified factors at the individual, social, familial, and
school levels that may trigger adolescents to change their participation in PA as they transition from
elementary to secondary school. Twenty-two factors emerged from the qualitative analysis including
school factors (8), household factors (3), social factors (4), and intrapersonal factors (7). These findings
contribute to a better understanding of adolescents’ PA behaviors and highlight the influence of
changing environments as they transition from elementary school to secondary school.
Description
Keywords
physical activity, adolescent, school, environment, perceptions, transition period
Citation
McGaughey, T., Vlaar, J., Naylor, P., Hanning, R. M., Le Mare, L., & Mâsse, L. C. (2020). “Individual and environmental factors associated with participation in physical activity as adolescents transition to secondary school: A qualitative inquiry.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(20), 7646. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207646