Physical activity and posttraumatic growth: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Jieling; Xiang, Xiaoling; Lee, Janet L.C.; Chen, Chuqian; He, Yaping; Lou, Vivian W.Q.
• Is Part Of: Psychology of sport and exercise. Volume 49(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Physical activity -- Posttraumatic growth -- Benefit finding; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; Psychology; Sports; Exercise; Societies, Medical; Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; Exercice -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; 613.71019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-0292

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This systematic review aimed to examine the relationships between physical activity and posttraumatic growth (PTG) following a highly stressful life event. Design: A systematic review was conducted to identify eligible articles. A meta-analysis was conducted for quantitative studies and a meta-ethnographic synthesis was conducted for qualitative studies. Method: After systematic searches of five databases and literature screening, 20 quantitative studies and 12 qualitative studies were included in the final review. A meta-analysis of 14 quantitative studies was conducted to examine association between leisure-time physical activity and PTG. A meta-ethnographic synthesis of 10 qualitative studies was conducted to examine the relationship between physical activity and the experience of PTG. Results: The meta-analysis revealed a positive, yet small, association between leisure-time physical activity and PTG (average correlation = 0.120; 95% confidence interval: 0.071 to 0.168; p < 0.001). The effect sizes did not differ by measurements of PTG and participants' age and gender but were smaller in studies with a binary variable of physical activity, a sample of participants with moderate or advanced diseases, and a longer period since the stressful event. The meta-ethnographic synthesis identified potential processes linking physical activity and PTG, including perceptions of self, social experiences, philosophical re-evaluation, and health effects. Conclusions: This review suggest physical activity is a behavioral factor that may facilitate PTG. It highlights methodological considerations for further research. Highlights: Leisure-time physical activity is positively, yet weakly, associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG). The association between leisure-time physical activity and PTG were stronger in shorter period since the stressful event. Physical activity may affect PTG via self-perception, social experiences, philosophical re-evaluation, and health effects.