Research provides impetus and guidance for Ucando-it programmes aimed at increasing individual and national wellbeing.
A thought paper commissioned by us to inform the development of our Ucando-it social action reward and recognition programmes brings together growing global research supporting physical activity interventions as a way of positively impacting self-esteem.
‘Building self-esteem and wellbeing through physical activity’, by Exercise Psychologist Dr Sarah Edmunds of the University of Chichester, explores the mounting evidence linking exercise with self-esteem, which is associated with positive characteristics of value to citizens and society, such as resilience, independence and adaptability.
Making a positive contribution to self-esteem is one of the objectives of Ucando-it programmes which promote physical activity and encourage participants to get active by walking, cycling, swimming, running and playing team sports and get rewarded by their favourite brands.
The paper cites a 12-year study of adults between the ages of 16 and 97 which provides evidence of the importance of self-esteem to wellbeing across the lifespan. It shows that low self-esteem was predictive of developing depression while high self-esteem predicted greater positive mood states as well as higher relationship and job satisfaction and physical health.
Dr Edmunds outlines the significance and structure of self-esteem and explains the strong influence of perceptions of physical self-worth on overall self-esteem, saying that,
The physical self has a unique role within the self-system: the body, through its appearance, attributes and abilities, provides the substantive interface between the individual and the world… and this provides a rationale for using physical activity to enhance global self-esteem.
Through a review of studies which used exercise as an intervention to improve self-esteem, together with her understanding of motivational theory, Dr Edmunds draws out a number of recommendations for effective programme design. These include giving participants choice over the physical activity they do, encouraging the setting of realistic goals and reinforcing good performance and effort.
Debra Charles, Novacroft founder and CEO says,
Ucando-it was born out of a conviction that if you motivate and reward people for getting active, volunteering and learning you can influence how they feel about themselves and, by increasing their self-worth, help them become more positive and productive and make a greater contribution to their communities and to UK GDP.
This thought-provoking paper has provided us with valuable expert insights into exactly why physical activity is so important to our wellbeing and ability to deal with life’s demands and we will be referring to its recommendations as we develop Ucando-it programmes for our corporate, charity and public sector clients.
‘Building self-esteem and wellbeing through physical activity’ is available at www.uk.novacroft.com/resources and as a .pdf below.
For more information about Ucando-it please visit www.novacroft/ucando-it
