In search of the 'like-minded' people: pregnant women's sense-making of their physical activity-related social experiences.
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| Title: | In search of the 'like-minded' people: pregnant women's sense-making of their physical activity-related social experiences. |
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| Authors: | Livingston, Rebecca (AUTHOR), Larkin, Michael (AUTHOR), Olander, Ellinor. K. (AUTHOR), Atkinson, Lou (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. Mar2026, Vol. 44 Issue 2, p449-467. 19p. |
| Subjects: | Qualitative research, Research funding, Interviewing, Pregnant women, Descriptive statistics, Longitudinal method, Research methodology, Data analysis software, Phenomenology, Physical activity, Social participation, Patients' attitudes |
| Abstract: | Aims/Background: Social factors are increasingly recognised as influential on antenatal physical activity. While pregnant women describe the people and support they require to remain physically active, little is known about how pregnant women select and make sense of their social experiences throughout pregnancy. This study followed pregnant women's sense-making of their physical activity-related social experiences as pregnancy progressed, and physical activity declined. Design/Methods: This study used a qualitative design. Four pregnant women were recruited in their second trimester, participated in three individual semi-structured interviews and submitted diary entries throughout trimesters two and three. Data were analysed using longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: To facilitate physical activity, pregnant women were 'searching for the "like-minded" people who motivate, share and understand', namely pregnant women and prenatally trained exercise professionals. When making sense of social experiences, pregnant women were 'grading and critiquing the quality and paucity of "active pregnancy" information', and'cherry-picking social experiences necessary for "nesting", obtaining support and protecting self-esteem as physical activity declined'. This involved disengaging from social experiences, and consequently, some pregnant women found themselves 'lamenting interactions with the "like-minded" people, contending with grief and inner conflict'. Conclusion: Pregnant women proactively seek and make sense of social experiences to facilitate physical activity. In an increasingly digitalised society, interventions should support pregnant women to utilise social media constructively and safely to access 'like-minded' people, provide in-person and virtual networks to meet individual support needs throughout pregnancy and encourage health professionals to demonstrate interest in the 'active pregnancy' to maximise influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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