"The Ripple Effect": The influence of social support on participation in a small workplace health promotion program.
Health Promot J Austr
; 33(2): 470-479, 2022 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34139036
ABSTRACT
ISSUE ADDRESSED Workplaces are key settings for health promotion. There is limited evidence pertaining to workplace health promotion [WHP] in Australian small and medium enterprises [SMEs], particularly in regional areas. This qualitative study explored employee perceptions of a pilot workplace health promotion program, LifeMAP, conducted in a small health service enterprise in regional Victoria 2014-2017, including facilitators of participation and perceived benefits of participation. METHOD:
Ten LifeMAP participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews (n = 7) and one focus group (n = 3) were conducted between August and September 2017. Data were analysed inductively and thematically to elicit emergent themes.RESULTS:
Social support emerged as the overarching theme influencing participation in LifeMAP, and a perceived benefit of participation. Using FitBits® and setting exercise challenges enabled social support to be fostered through role modelling, staff collegiality and community. There may be gendered differences in the experiences of role modelling in WHP.CONCLUSIONS:
This SME, and others like it, often feature high levels of employee social connectedness, with a strong workplace and community networks. Social support is a critical influence in social connectedness which needs to be considered and incorporated into the design, implementation and evaluation of WHP programs as a means of overcoming WHP recruitment and participation challenges in regional SMEs. SO WHAT? The identification of social support as a key factor for WHP participation and employee satisfaction is a valuable finding providing insight into how similar programs may be better designed and implemented to enhance WHP program recruitment and retention.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Local de Trabalho
/
Promoção da Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Humans
País como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article