Ethnographic study of a mental health and football project.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mental Health and Physical Activity: An Ethnographic Study of the Experiences of Current and Former Service Users’ Involved in Football Sessions in Birmingham.
IRAS ID
177391
Contact name
Adam Benkwitz
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 7 days
Research summary
The purpose of the study is to explore the lived experiences of the participants and of the staff/volunteers of football sessions that are run for service users and former service users of the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT).
The research shall involve participant observation (through attending the football sessions each week, and watching what happens and taking notes) and semi-structured interviews with some of the participants (players/staff/volunteers).Research of this type has never been undertaken, and it is argued that an increased understanding is required of the role of physical activity (football) in the lives and recovery of individuals with mental health issues. Specifically, research is required that values the 'voices' and experiences of those actually involved. Existing research often only focuses on the simplistic ‘before and after’ of a physical activity intervention; using questionnaires to assess service-users before and after an intervention, and then making a judgement about the intervention based on the improvement/lack of improvement following the activity. This neglects the experiences of those involved, and does not give any insight in to specifically: which aspects of the physical activity are significant, how those involved interpret the activities, how it influences their recovery and their daily lives, or what changes or developments they feel are required form their perspectives.
Therefore, this research is required to begin to fill this gap in our understanding, and provide a voice to those that are involved; in order to provide greater understanding, inform future practice (both inside and outside the NHS) and, potentially, provide further rationale for the usefulness and importance of physical activity (in this case, football) for individuals with mental health issues.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0408
Date of REC Opinion
25 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion