Understanding the Role of the Mother-Daughter Relationship in the Physical Activity and Health Behaviours of African Nova Scotian Adolescent Girls: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity plays a vital role in adolescent health and development. In girls, puberty and adolescence often results in declining physical activity levels. There are often more barriers to engaging in physical activity and less support to allow for girls to be active. Some girls experience additional barriers to physical activity. For example, African Nova Scotian girls tend to experience even greater barriers to being active, and resultantly, are often less physically active compared with peers who are not African Nova Scotian. There are several known facilitators to improve adolescent physical activity. For example, caregivers often influence their child’s health behaviours. One of the most significant familiar relationships in African Nova Scotian families is that of the mother and daughter. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of African Nova Scotian adolescent girls as it relates to their physical activity, and the role of the mother in supporting their daughter’s engagement in physical activity. Methods: We used a qualitative dyadic approach to understand the relationship between African Nova Scotian mothers and their daughters as it related to physical activity. We conducted semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with five African Nova Scotian adolescent girls ages 11-17 years old and their five mothers, separately. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. We combined reflexive thematic and dyadic analyses to capture both independent and relational nuances in the data. Results: A total of five mother-daughter dyads participated in the interviews. All mothers identified as the primary caregiver of the child. Four mothers identified as African Nova Scotian and one mother identified as being of African descent and living in an African Nova Scotian community. Four daughters identified as African Nova Scotian and one daughter identified as African descent and living in an African Nova Scotian community. Mothers and daughters were ages 36-48 years and 11-15 years, respectively. Our reflexive and dyadic analysis generated five themes: 1) Anti-Blackness as a Barrier to Physical Activity for African Nova Scotian Adolescent Girls, 2) Inconducive Black Environments that have been Built by Racism and Create Inequitable Resource Availability, 3) Social Support and Friendship Networks for Physical Activity Participation and Retention, 4) Traditional Black Mothering as a Facet for Mother-Daughter Health Behaviour Communication, 5) Mother as Manager of their African Nova Scotian daughters’ Health. Discussion and Conclusion: The mother-daughter relationship is critical in supporting the health of African Nova Scotian girls. African Nova Scotian adolescent girls are situated at a social disadvantage for participating in physical activity compared with peers who are not African Nova Scotian. The health journeys of African Nova Scotian adolescent girls have been and continue to be shaped by racism, sexism, and classism. There is an urgent need to centre the development and implementation of health policies in African Nova Scotian perspectives. Adequate funding must be allocated to health resources and education for African Nova Scotian communities. Health promotion strategies must adopt culturally competent approaches to address the needs of African Nova Scotian girls and women.