Physical activity: Exploring the barriers and facilitators for the engagement of young people in residential care in Ireland

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• Adversity impacts YP engagement in PA. • YP identity is predominantly determined by their current status as a child in care. • PA offers significant opportunity for identity and relationship development. • Staff recognise the impact of trauma and the care environment on YP and their engagement in PA. • Shared PA activities with staff are the most effective strategies for engaging YP. Physical activity (PA) is recognised as an important health behaviour associated with a range of physical and psychological benefits for young people (YP). In addition to having experienced significant adverse life events this population of YP can be at a greater risk of experiencing ongoing adversity than their peers. PA is recognised as a strategy to working alongside these YP to allow them to reach their full potential, whilst recognising the significant barriers in their lives. The current research was designed to explore PA engagement of YP living in residential care settings in Ireland. Twenty-five staff working with YP within residential care were interviewed to explore their perceptions of the barriers and facilitators for PA engagement for this group of young people. There was a dominant theme throughout the interviews of the positive impact of PA on YP living in residential care. Social and individual factors were identified as a positive outcome from engagement, whilst simultaneously recognised as presenting significant barriers to YP’s engagement. Similar to previous research with vulnerable YP, the role of identity and relationships was identified as an important consideration for enhancing engagement, and as a positive outcome. The staff working with YP indicated an awareness of the need to adapt a trauma informed practice to enhance engagement in PA and frequently adapted their role to do this. The results are discussed in the context of identifying strategies for the development of opportunities for PA engagement, in order to enhance positive outcomes for this population of vulnerable YP, within the residential care setting and the beyond.