Exploring resources for physical activity in hispanic women, using photo elicitation

Addressing cultural, social, and contextual resources to promote physical activity behavior among Hispanic women is necessary to establish effective intervention approaches. With this research we intended to (a) explore cultural, social, and contextual resources for physical activity among Hispanic women; and (b) evaluate the acceptability of visual methods as an innovative, formative method to enhance intervention relevance. A qualitative descriptive methodological design incorporating photo elicitation was used with 7 Hispanic women, aged 23 to 60 (X = 44.2). Results were varied, and themes captured cultural, social, and contextual resources. Culture provided an overarching perspective, guiding identification and choice of physical activity resources, support, and setting. Themes included being active as a way of life, acknowledging tradition, moving with me, creating place, and building resources. Photo elicitation was evaluated as an acceptable method. Data provide an initial step toward generating a more complete understanding of perceived resources for physical activity in Hispanic women, and support the acceptability of photo elicitation.