Abstract
Background: Having a Type 2 Diabetes risk (prediabetes) is a call to action for health behaviour engagement. Physical activity can reduce diabetes risk, but difficult emotions, stigma, and lack of support can prevent people with prediabetes from getting active. Self-compassion is a psychological resource that may help people cope with prediabetes and increase their physical activity. MOVE IT is an 8-week videoconferencing intervention that teaches people with prediabetes self-compassion and physical activity self-regulatory strategies.
Aim: To explore how participants in MOVE IT used self-compassion to cope with prediabetes and increase their physical activity.
Methods: 14 MOVE IT sessions (from two MOVE IT cohorts) were transcribed verbatim, representing N = 14 participants (Mage = 54 years, SD age = 7 years; 100% women). Data were subjected to Participatory Theme Elicitation (a participatory analysis using open card sorting). The analysis was co-conducted with five women who had previously completed the MOVE IT self-compassion intervention (Age range = 51-74 years, 40% White, 40% Indigenous, 20% Filipino) across five analysis meetings.
Results: Six themes were generated representing a chronological storyline of a “prototypical” participant’s journey of learning self-compassion and becoming more active throughout MOVE IT. Cutting across these themes, MOVE IT participants used self-compassion to identify opportunities for change, applied self-kindness to cope with physical activity setbacks, and took action to prioritize their needs and protect their health. The results demonstrate self-compassion training is relevant and useful to people with prediabetes participating in MOVE IT as they work to become more active.
