Fysisk aktivitet i behandlingen av alvorlig psykisk syke i spesialisthelsetjenesten

Masteroppgave folkehelsevitenskap- Universitetet i Agder, 2014

An increasing number of people are being treated for mental disorders in Norway. The sale of drugs, sick leave and the number of new disability pensions due to mental disorders increases. The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of adopting health measures, such as physical activity, to prevent a further negative development in terms of the individual patient. This study examines how physical activity is incorporated as a part of an overall treatment provided to mental health patients in Norwegian specialized health service. The study is analyzed by Kvale and Brinkmann`s guidelines for meaning analysis. The empirical material is conducted through several qualitative research interviews. Twenty-two different interviews are collected from professionals, connected to four division of mental emergencies, and two long-term mental divisions from three different health institutions in Norway. Findings show that physical activity is incorporated as part of an overall treatment in all posts. The conclusion is that the activities vary from individual walks to systematically high intensity training. None of the informants reported that they use an existing motivation technique to encourage participation in physical activity. Seventeen of the twenty-two informants state simultaneously that inability of motivation is a challenge when it comes to physical activity and mental disease. Even though informants emphasize both the lack of relevant locations, time and resources persons, may findings from this study indicate that the employees´ will, attitudes and the missing evidence-based knowledge, have a stronger explanation than what was provided from the informants regarding the reasons for why there is a less integrated set of physical activity. Keywords: physical activity, mental health, motivation, achievement, phenomenological hermeneutic, empowerment, salutogenesis, social cognitive theory.