Physical Activity Participation among Children and Youth with Mental Health Symptoms: Clinician Perspectives

Physical activity supports mental health and well-being in children and youth. However, there are significant barriers to physical activity participation among individuals impacted by mental health disorders. This study investigates these barriers through the perspective of mental health clinicians who support children and youth.

Fourteen mental health clinicians, including registered professional psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers, were interviewed in a semi-structured format. Qualitative content analysis was performed to identify key themes, including both barriers and facilitators to physical activity.

Content analysis revealed that clinicians perceive both internal and external barriers and facilitators to their clients' participation in physical activity. Barriers included intrapersonal factors, such as the presence of depression, anxiety, or eating disorder symptoms; lack of motivation; and negative self-talk, as well as factors related to the influence of caregivers, financial limitations, screen time use, environmental and cultural factors, and lack of time. Facilitators included enjoyment of physical activity, knowledge about the benefits of physical activity, and caregiver participation.

Mental health clinicians demonstrated clear knowledge about the barriers to and facilitators of their clients' participation in physical activity. These findings provide valuable insights that can be used to support children and youth experiencing mental health difficulty to access the beneficial effects of physical activity.