Active bodies - active minds? A deep dive into the voluntary sports programs for individuals with psychiatric disorders in Switzerland: participants view

The positive influence of physical activities on a person’s physical and mental health has been proven many times. These findings were implemented in the regular exercise therapy offered within psychiatric hospitals in Switzerland. However, after leaving a psychiatric hospital, there are insufficient opportunities for individuals with psychiatric disorders to engage in sports. Therefore, voluntary sports groups for this specific population have been offered in Switzerland by the disability sports systems since 2015. Still, the perspective of individuals with psychiatric disorders as well as perceived barriers and facilitators for participating in these groups have neither been assessed nor included in the design of sports programs.

This study consists of 15 semi-structured interviews (N = 15) lasting up to one hour each with individuals with psychiatric disorders who participated in voluntary sports groups for this specific population in Switzerland. The results were analyzed employing Thematic Analysis using Nvivo.

Interviewees named offer-specific (disability-related), emotional (social exchange), and rational motives (health) for their participation in voluntary sports groups for individuals with psychiatric disorders. In addition, intrapersonal (psychological/physical deficits), sociocultural (stigmatization), and structural (unsuitable location) factors were mentioned as possible inhibitors in the context of participation in voluntary sports groups for individuals with psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, participants experienced predominantly positive outcomes from participation.

Individuals with psychiatric disorders benefit socially, physically, and psychologically from participating in voluntary sports groups for this specific population. However, participation is associated with barriers that need to be minimized in the future. Additionally, a large-scale survey is necessary to validate the results among the population.