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Conceptualising pathological self-monitoring of physical activity
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McCaig, Duncan (2020) Conceptualising pathological self-monitoring of physical activity. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3492772~S15
Abstract
Background:
Technologies that facilitate monitoring one’s physical activity are potentially detrimental for people with high levels of eating psychopathology and compulsive exercise. Investigations in this area are complicated by the diverse functionality these technologies offer, and the varied ways in which a person can engage with a device or application. Furthermore, physical activity can be monitored without these technologies.
Objective:
This thesis aimed to develop a more comprehensive conceptualisation of physical activity self-monitoring in relation to eating psychopathology and compulsive exercise.
Methodology:
The research programme used diverse data sources (survey, semi-structured interviews, online forums) and analytical methods – both qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative (word-counts, network analysis). First, analyses of eating disorder forums investigated interest in, and engagement with physical activity self-monitoring-related technologies. Forms and focuses of physical activity self-monitoring were then captured through a survey, followed by interviews with people indicating high levels of compulsive exercise to investigate the nature of physical activity self-monitoring in greater depth. Last, further thematic analyses of eating disorder forums – conducted separately for people with high or low focuses on recovery – evaluated the comprehensiveness of the previous findings.
Findings:
The overall findings were grouped into five themes: Engagement and accuracy (the nature of physical activity self-monitoring); Comparisons (how and to what one’s physical activity is compared); Monitoring non-physical activity focuses (e.g., how monitoring one’s physique relates to physical activity); Cognitions, affect and behaviours (how specific psychological factors potentially relate to physical activity self-monitoring); and Interpersonal factors (how physical activity self-monitoring is enacted in relation to others).
Implications:
Future research is outlined, with the development of a measurement instrument being particularly emphasised. More immediately, the findings can assist clinicians and technology manufacturers in identifying aspects of physical activity self-monitoring that are potentially detrimental to people with high levels of eating psychopathology and compulsive exercise.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry |
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| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Physical fitness -- Monitoring, Eating disorders -- Psychological aspects, Exercise addiction | ||||
| Official Date: | March 2020 | ||||
| Dates: |
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| Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
| Theses Department: | Warwick Manufacturing Group | ||||
| Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
| Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
| Format of File: | |||||
| Extent: | xv, 315 leaves : illustrations | ||||
| Language: | eng |
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