This qualitative study aimed to examine and understand the elements that influence the self-efficacy of wheelchair users in HK, and how these elements shape their willingness to participate in exercise. The specific objectives included identifying the factors affecting the self-efficacy of wheelchair users in HK and understanding how these factors influence their participation in community-based exercise.
This study employed a qualitative methodology and targeted adult wheelchair users (aged 18 or above) with physical impairments but intact cognitive functions and community exercise experiences as study participants. Participants were purposively recruited from a community-based Boccia class organized by a local non-government organization held from May to June in 2023. Semi-structured interviews were chosen as the data collection method to allow participants to freely express their perspectives and experiences while maintaining their privacy. Each interview, conducted in Cantonese either in person or via ZOOM, lasted for about one hour and was audio recorded. Verbatim transcription and translation were done manually by the interviewers. The study used inductive thematic analysis, and ethical considerations were observed throughout the study to ensure trustworthiness of the data.
Ten participants were recruited for the study. However, one participant withdrew before the interview due to health reasons, leaving nine participants (four males and five females, aged 40-69) who completed the interview. Wheelchair use was attributed to either acquired (e.g., stroke) or congenital conditions (e.g., arthrogryposis). Since it was deemed that data saturation was reached after the thematic analysis of the nine transcripts, an additional participant was not recruited. Thematic analysis revealed the following themes: persistence through personal believe and mindset, the power of social support, and the dual roles of environmental factors. The last theme revealed many insights not found in previous research from other countries, implying the unique environmental landscape of HK.
This study provided insights into the driving force of self-efficacy for wheelchair users to participate in community exercise. Personal and social factors imparted confidence and persistence to exercise participation, while environmental factors played a dual role in facilitating and limiting exercise participation. Future studies could further explore this factor for a larger policy-level impact.
Physiotherapists should focus on strategies that empower self-efficacy for community exercise, in addition to targeting individual exercise compliance levels. Policy stakeholders should be involved to enable procedural and infrastructural friendliness in order to promote exercise for people with disabilities.
Wheelchair users
Self-efficacy
