{"id":{"repo_id":"brock","oai_identifier":"oai:brocku.scholaris.ca:10464/19714"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/brock/oai:brocku.scholaris.ca:10464/19714","repository":{"repo_id":"brock","name":"Brock University","base_url":"https://brocku.scholaris.ca/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Self-care Motivation and Behaviours Among Therapeutic Recreation Professionals Working in Mental Health: A Qualitative Descriptive Approach to Inquiry","abstract":"Therapeutic Recreation (TR) practitioners working in mental health settings are often exposed to emotionally demanding environments, which can impact overall wellness and quality of life. The practice of self-care has been increasingly recognized as a strategy for health professionals to reduce stress and recharge, yet limited research explores self-care among practitioners. This qualitative descriptive study contributes to the ongoing discussion of the importance of self-care for mental health professionals. Semi-structured interviews with 10 TR practitioners in Ontario, each with at least 2 years of experience, were analyzed using Braun and Clark's (2006) thematic analysis to explore their experience with self-care. Through an in-depth thematic analysis, findings are presented in three separate chapters. Chapter Four reflects on experiences and descriptions related to how practitioners describe their personal aspects and understandings of self-care. The descriptions revealed that self-care is a purposeful priority; aligned to personal values; and space for restoration and connection. Chapter Five discusses the main benefits and barriers to practitioners' self-care, including: relaxation and peace; being in the moment and mental clarity; a sense of accomplishment; and connection to others. Narratives spoke to time and commitments, mood, energy, and motivation as challenges to self-care engagement. Finally, Chapter Six examines the motivations and inclinations that lead practitioners to incorporate self-care into their lives. These descriptions showed that their motivation stems from self-preservation and wellness; professional authenticity and accountability; as well as lessons learned from the TR field. TR practitioners view self-care as highly personal and dynamic, influenced by both individual values and professional demands. Implications include the need for TR practitioners to reflect on their values, self-care needs, and evolving self-care practices. Additionally, health educators and employers are encouraged to incorporate self-care education and training, opening avenues for promoting wellness. This study emphasizes the growing field of self-care, health research, and TR as an interdisciplinary profession intertwined within a world of caring for oneself and others. While findings suggest the importance of both proactive and reactive approaches for sustaining well-being, further research exploring this area would contribute to a deeper understanding of self-care practices.","abstract_html":"Therapeutic Recreation (TR) practitioners working in mental health settings are often exposed to emotionally demanding environments, which can impact overall wellness and quality of life. The practice of self-care has been increasingly recognized as a strategy for health professionals to reduce stress and recharge, yet limited research explores self-care among practitioners. This qualitative descriptive study contributes to the ongoing discussion of the importance of self-care for mental health professionals. Semi-structured interviews with 10 TR practitioners in Ontario, each with at least 2 years of experience, were analyzed using Braun and Clark's (2006) thematic analysis to explore their experience with self-care. Through an in-depth thematic analysis, findings are presented in three separate chapters. Chapter Four reflects on experiences and descriptions related to how practitioners describe their personal aspects and understandings of self-care. The descriptions revealed that self-care is a purposeful priority; aligned to personal values; and space for restoration and connection. Chapter Five discusses the main benefits and barriers to practitioners' self-care, including: relaxation and peace; being in the moment and mental clarity; a sense of accomplishment; and connection to others. Narratives spoke to time and commitments, mood, energy, and motivation as challenges to self-care engagement. Finally, Chapter Six examines the motivations and inclinations that lead practitioners to incorporate self-care into their lives. These descriptions showed that their motivation stems from self-preservation and wellness; professional authenticity and accountability; as well as lessons learned from the TR field. TR practitioners view self-care as highly personal and dynamic, influenced by both individual values and professional demands. Implications include the need for TR practitioners to reflect on their values, self-care needs, and evolving self-care practices. Additionally, health educators and employers are encouraged to incorporate self-care education and training, opening avenues for promoting wellness. This study emphasizes the growing field of self-care, health research, and TR as an interdisciplinary profession intertwined within a world of caring for oneself and others. While findings suggest the importance of both proactive and reactive approaches for sustaining well-being, further research exploring this area would contribute to a deeper understanding of self-care practices.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["McConkey, Kendra"],"institution":"Brock University","degree_name":"M.A. Applied Health Sciences","degree_level":"Master","degree_discipline":"Faculty of Applied Health Sciences","degree_department":"Applied Health Sciences Program","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Whyte, Colleen"],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-09","date_published":"2025-09","updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:23:14Z","subjects":["Self-Care","Therapeutic Recreation","Mental Health","Motivations","Benefits and Barriers"],"languages":["eng"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19714","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Whyte, Colleen"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Applied Health Sciences Program"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["McConkey, Kendra"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2025-10-01T18:30:07Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2025-10-01T18:30:07Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2025-09"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Brock University"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Electronic Thesis or Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Faculty of Applied Health Sciences"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Master"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["M.A. Applied Health Sciences"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Self-Care","Therapeutic Recreation","Mental Health","Motivations","Benefits and Barriers"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["eng"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19714"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Therapeutic Recreation (TR) practitioners working in mental health settings are often exposed to emotionally demanding environments, which can impact overall wellness and quality of life. The practice of self-care has been increasingly recognized as a strategy for health professionals to reduce stress and recharge, yet limited research explores self-care among practitioners. This qualitative descriptive study contributes to the ongoing discussion of the importance of self-care for mental health professionals. Semi-structured interviews with 10 TR practitioners in Ontario, each with at least 2 years of experience, were analyzed using Braun and Clark's (2006) thematic analysis to explore their experience with self-care. Through an in-depth thematic analysis, findings are presented in three separate chapters. Chapter Four reflects on experiences and descriptions related to how practitioners describe their personal aspects and understandings of self-care. The descriptions revealed that self-care is a purposeful priority; aligned to personal values; and space for restoration and connection. Chapter Five discusses the main benefits and barriers to practitioners' self-care, including: relaxation and peace; being in the moment and mental clarity; a sense of accomplishment; and connection to others. Narratives spoke to time and commitments, mood, energy, and motivation as challenges to self-care engagement. Finally, Chapter Six examines the motivations and inclinations that lead practitioners to incorporate self-care into their lives. These descriptions showed that their motivation stems from self-preservation and wellness; professional authenticity and accountability; as well as lessons learned from the TR field. TR practitioners view self-care as highly personal and dynamic, influenced by both individual values and professional demands. Implications include the need for TR practitioners to reflect on their values, self-care needs, and evolving self-care practices. Additionally, health educators and employers are encouraged to incorporate self-care education and training, opening avenues for promoting wellness. This study emphasizes the growing field of self-care, health research, and TR as an interdisciplinary profession intertwined within a world of caring for oneself and others. While findings suggest the importance of both proactive and reactive approaches for sustaining well-being, further research exploring this area would contribute to a deeper understanding of self-care practices."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Self-care Motivation and Behaviours Among Therapeutic Recreation Professionals Working in Mental Health: A Qualitative Descriptive Approach to Inquiry"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Whyte, Colleen"],"dc:contributor.department":["Applied Health Sciences Program"],"dc:creator":["McConkey, Kendra"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2025-10-01T18:30:07Z"],"dc:date.available":["2025-10-01T18:30:07Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2025-09"],"dc:description.abstract":["Therapeutic Recreation (TR) practitioners working in mental health settings are often exposed to emotionally demanding environments, which can impact overall wellness and quality of life. The practice of self-care has been increasingly recognized as a strategy for health professionals to reduce stress and recharge, yet limited research explores self-care among practitioners. This qualitative descriptive study contributes to the ongoing discussion of the importance of self-care for mental health professionals. Semi-structured interviews with 10 TR practitioners in Ontario, each with at least 2 years of experience, were analyzed using Braun and Clark's (2006) thematic analysis to explore their experience with self-care. Through an in-depth thematic analysis, findings are presented in three separate chapters. Chapter Four reflects on experiences and descriptions related to how practitioners describe their personal aspects and understandings of self-care. The descriptions revealed that self-care is a purposeful priority; aligned to personal values; and space for restoration and connection. Chapter Five discusses the main benefits and barriers to practitioners' self-care, including: relaxation and peace; being in the moment and mental clarity; a sense of accomplishment; and connection to others. Narratives spoke to time and commitments, mood, energy, and motivation as challenges to self-care engagement. Finally, Chapter Six examines the motivations and inclinations that lead practitioners to incorporate self-care into their lives. These descriptions showed that their motivation stems from self-preservation and wellness; professional authenticity and accountability; as well as lessons learned from the TR field. TR practitioners view self-care as highly personal and dynamic, influenced by both individual values and professional demands. Implications include the need for TR practitioners to reflect on their values, self-care needs, and evolving self-care practices. Additionally, health educators and employers are encouraged to incorporate self-care education and training, opening avenues for promoting wellness. This study emphasizes the growing field of self-care, health research, and TR as an interdisciplinary profession intertwined within a world of caring for oneself and others. While findings suggest the importance of both proactive and reactive approaches for sustaining well-being, further research exploring this area would contribute to a deeper understanding of self-care practices."],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19714"],"dc:language.iso":["eng"],"dc:publisher":["Brock University"],"dc:subject":["Self-Care","Therapeutic Recreation","Mental Health","Motivations","Benefits and Barriers"],"dc:title":["Self-care Motivation and Behaviours Among Therapeutic Recreation Professionals Working in Mental Health: A Qualitative Descriptive Approach to Inquiry"],"dc:type":["Electronic Thesis or Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Faculty of Applied Health Sciences"],"thesis:degree_level":["Master"],"thesis:degree_name":["M.A. Applied Health Sciences"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:23:14Z"}