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Abstract

Accessible summary
- The aim of the study was to elicit the views and opinions of people diagnosed with serious mental illness in relation to physical activity.
- Ten people who were attending a community mental health centre participated in semi-structured interviews.
- The main results showed that participants found physical activity beneficial in terms of psychological and social well-being and perceived clear gains in relation to recovery and quality of life.
- Physical activity should be routinely included in plans of care and mental health policy guidelines globally should contain physical activity as a key component.
- Mental health policy guidelines globally should contain physical activity as a key component.

Abstract
The aim of the current study was to explore the subjective experiences of people diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) in relation to physical activity. The study was conducted using a qualitative exploratory descriptive approach. The participants (n = 10), who were outpatients attending a day centre, were interviewed to elicit their views and opinions about physical activity. The data were thematically analysed using a recognized framework. The main themes that emerged included physical activity as a meaningful activity, physical activity as a mental activity, quality of life and recovery, and perceived challenges to physical activity. The unique perspectives of service users provides fresh insights on the topic and the findings support the justification for the inclusion of physical activity in plans of care and to be contained in global mental health policy directives.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Cullen, C. and McCann, E. (2015), Physical activity and people with SMI. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs, 22: 58-64, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12179. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Publisher Keywords:	Exercise, physical activity, schizophrenia, recovery, quality of life
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing

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