Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Substance use disorders (SUD) are a significant public health challenge in the United States, with high prevalence among young adults. Physical activity (PA) and identity construction have been found to support SUD recovery and promote a new, substance-free identity. However, more research is needed...

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Main Authors: Anthony Coetzer-Liversage, Chelsey Kirkland, Peggy C. Stephens, Lynda A. R. Stein
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: CV. Literasi Indonesia 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Qualitative Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ojs.literacyinstitute.org/index.php/ijqr/article/view/1888
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author Anthony Coetzer-Liversage
Chelsey Kirkland
Peggy C. Stephens
Lynda A. R. Stein
author_facet Anthony Coetzer-Liversage
Chelsey Kirkland
Peggy C. Stephens
Lynda A. R. Stein
author_sort Anthony Coetzer-Liversage
collection DOAJ
description Substance use disorders (SUD) are a significant public health challenge in the United States, with high prevalence among young adults. Physical activity (PA) and identity construction have been found to support SUD recovery and promote a new, substance-free identity. However, more research is needed to understand the links between PA and identity construction. The purpose of this research was to understand the lived experience of how people recovering from a substance use disorder perceive their identity change throughout their self-discovery journey and the role of PA in this journey. Participants were recruited from a local PA group, four 60–90-minute interviews were conducted, and interpretive phenomenological analysis on verbatim transcribed audio files was performed. Three super-ordinate themes were found: 1) Core of Being, 2) Support Connection and Belonging, and 3) Suffering. Findings are consistent with and expand prior research, both within group PA settings and in participants’ journeys.
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spelling doaj-art-80b5afaf77444cf7b85f07e3f31601882025-08-20T03:09:12ZengCV. Literasi IndonesiaInternational Journal of Qualitative Research2798-60472025-03-014324926010.47540/ijqr.v4i3.18881889Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological AnalysisAnthony Coetzer-Liversage0Chelsey Kirkland1Peggy C. Stephens2Lynda A. R. Stein3ServeMinnesota, Minneapolis, United StatesCenter for Public Health Systems, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, United StatesCollege of Public Health, Kent State University, Kent, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, United StatesSubstance use disorders (SUD) are a significant public health challenge in the United States, with high prevalence among young adults. Physical activity (PA) and identity construction have been found to support SUD recovery and promote a new, substance-free identity. However, more research is needed to understand the links between PA and identity construction. The purpose of this research was to understand the lived experience of how people recovering from a substance use disorder perceive their identity change throughout their self-discovery journey and the role of PA in this journey. Participants were recruited from a local PA group, four 60–90-minute interviews were conducted, and interpretive phenomenological analysis on verbatim transcribed audio files was performed. Three super-ordinate themes were found: 1) Core of Being, 2) Support Connection and Belonging, and 3) Suffering. Findings are consistent with and expand prior research, both within group PA settings and in participants’ journeys.https://ojs.literacyinstitute.org/index.php/ijqr/article/view/1888identity constructioninterpretative phenomenological analysisphysical activitysubstance use disorders
spellingShingle Anthony Coetzer-Liversage
Chelsey Kirkland
Peggy C. Stephens
Lynda A. R. Stein
Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
International Journal of Qualitative Research
identity construction
interpretative phenomenological analysis
physical activity
substance use disorders
title Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
title_full Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
title_fullStr Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
title_short Exploring Identity and Physical Activity in Substance Use Recovery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
title_sort exploring identity and physical activity in substance use recovery an interpretative phenomenological analysis
topic identity construction
interpretative phenomenological analysis
physical activity
substance use disorders
url https://ojs.literacyinstitute.org/index.php/ijqr/article/view/1888
work_keys_str_mv AT anthonycoetzerliversage exploringidentityandphysicalactivityinsubstanceuserecoveryaninterpretativephenomenologicalanalysis
AT chelseykirkland exploringidentityandphysicalactivityinsubstanceuserecoveryaninterpretativephenomenologicalanalysis
AT peggycstephens exploringidentityandphysicalactivityinsubstanceuserecoveryaninterpretativephenomenologicalanalysis
AT lyndaarstein exploringidentityandphysicalactivityinsubstanceuserecoveryaninterpretativephenomenologicalanalysis