Exercise Health and Psychology Lab

Key Areas of Research

• Self-compassion and health behaviours
• Health identities, possible selves and other self-perceptions
• Affect and self-regulation
• The application of psychological theories to health behaviours
• Physical activity counselling

Self-compassion and Chronic Disease: Health behaviours, including physical activity reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions and can help people recover from them. Few people at risk for or living with chronic conditions engage in these health behaviours at a sufficient level. Low levels of health behavioural engagement may be due, in part, to the challenges people with or at risk for chronic conditions face in managing health behaviours. Researchers use the word “self-regulation” to describe the process of managing our health behaviours. Successful self-regulation involves actions like setting goals, monitoring progress and adjusting behaviours when insufficient progress is made. People who are self-compassionate, that is, kind to themselves in difficult times, are good at self-regulating their health; they prioritize their health, engage in helpful processes such as planning and goal-setting, and experience less distress which could otherwise interfere with self-regulation. Therefore, self-compassion would be an asset for people at risk for or recovering from a chronic condition. We are conducting two studies where we examine self-compassion as a resource for people in the context of chronic conditions.

Self-Compassion and Pre-Diabetes: In this CIHR-funded pilot and feasibility study, we will examine whether teaching people at-risk for Type 2 diabetes to use self-compassion as they try to become more physically active helps them engage in physical activity. People at risk for Type 2 diabetes will learn about their Type 2 diabetes risk and strategies to increase their physical activity. In addition to this, some participants, but not all, will be taught to be self-compassionate in relation to their Type 2 diabetes risk and their efforts to increase their physical activity. We expect that people who receive self-compassion training will be more physically active than people who do not. We will also examine mediators of the proposed self-compassion-physical activity relationship. This study is important for health promotion because it allows us to determine if we can improve how we currently help people prevent Type 2 diabetes through engaging in physical activity.  

Self-Compassion and Cardiac Surgery: In this prospective study, we are observing if people’s levels of self-compassion their ability to manage and therefore engage in health behaviours during the 1 year recovery period after surgery. We will measure people’s self-compassion prior to cardiac surgery and follow them over the next year to see if their levels of self-compassion predict their engagement in health behaviours such as physical activity, nutrition and stress management. and ultimately indicators of recovery after surgery. We will also examine mediators of the proposed relationship between self-compassion and health behaviours. This study is important for health promotion as it allows us to determine if self-compassion is an asset for people recovering from cardiac surgery. If it is, we could teach people to approach their cardiac recover with self-compassion, which may help them self-regulate their health behavours and recover from their surgery.

Self-Compassion and Identity Adjustment: New mothers, who used to be physically active, often show a reduction in exercise from pre-to-post baby that can threaten their pre-motherhood exercise identity. This identity threat is concerning considering that exercise identity is one of the strongest predictors of exercise behaviour. If new mothers can adjust their exercise identity standard to something that is realistic for their new reality, they may be able to preserve their exercise identity and maintain some exercise; a healthy alternative to relentless pursuit or abandonment of their old identity. Identity theory lacks information about what predicts identity adaptation. Self-compassion, treating oneself kindly in the face of challenge, may promote identity adaptation. We examine the relationship between self-compassion and identity adaptation in mothers of young children (Mage who identify with exercise and reported a reduction in exercise following motherhood (identity challenge). We predict that self-compassion may help new mothers cope positively with exercise-related identity challenges.

Empathy study: Health care practitioners from a variety of professions (e.g. physical and occupational therapy, nursing, kinesiology) have opportunities to intervene through conversations with clients about their health behaviours. These interventions are among the most effective approaches to bring about health behaviour change. However, counselling may not come naturally to all health care practitioners who are challenged by held negative attitudes toward people who engage in unhealthy behaviours, or their beliefs that efforts to promote change are futile7. In this collaborative, pragmatic feasibility study, we will determine if students within health professions who receive instructions and focused reflection opportunities in perspective-taking, have better counselling competence than people who do not receive this training. By testing the efficacy of an empathic training tool, this research is practical given that empathy by health care professionals improves practitioner-client interactions. Finally, if supported, we will work with stake holders in various health professional programs to implement the training tool into curricula.

• PhD in Applied Health Sciences
  
  Kiri Shafto (co-supervised)

• M.A. in Kinesiology and Recreation Management
• Sasha Kullman
• Mark Shepit
• Vianney Vega

• Undergraduate Honours Psychology Students
• Abigail Storey

• Graduate Research Assistant
• Alana Signore 
• Kaeley Simpson

• Research Assistant
• Jennifer Peters

PhD Students

• Navjot Pachu: Currently working at the University of Manitoba as a Research Grants Facilitator
• Melanie Perras: Currently working at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
• Laura Meade: Currently working as a researcher of Sprout Health Solutions
• Cindy Miller: Currently owner and director of Totally Fit Mom, and sessional lecturer at the University of Manitoba 
• Laura Ceccarelli: Currently completing her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Manitoba
• Mahan Shahrooie

M.A. Students

• Alana Signore: Currently completing her M.A. in school psychology at the University of Manitoba
• Olivia Tefft: Currently a policy analyst for the government of Canada 
• Brittany Semenchuk: Currently a research agreement analyst for Shared Health Research and Innovation 
• Gwenyth Stadig: Associate with Miller Thomson Law Firm in Waterloo, Ontario 
• Meghan Marcotte: Project Manager, Faculty Engagement, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario

Deck, S., Semenchuk, B., Ball, M., Duncan, L., Hall, C., Kullman, S. & Strachan, S. A comparison of possible selves interventions on physical activity and physical activity self-definition model variables. (2023). Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 42 (3) 244-262.
 
Schellenberg, B. J. I., *Semenchuk, B., Bailis, D. S., Strachan, S., & *Quach, A. (2022). Good times, bad times: A closer look at the relationship between savoring and self-compassion. Personality and Individual Differences, 111807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111807. Preprint is publicly available at https://psyarxiv.com/wv7u2
 
Signore, A., Jung, M., Semenchuk, B., Kullman, S., Tefft, O., Webber, S., Ferguson, L., Kowalski, K., Fortier, M., McGavock, J., Ahmed, R., Orr M., & Strachan. S. (2022). A Pilot and Feasibility Study of a Self-Compassion Intervention Aimed to Increase Physical Activity Behaviour Among People with Prediabetes. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8, 1, p 111-111.
 
Semenchuk, B.N., Kullman, S.M., Neilson, C.J., Ceccarelli, L., Boreskie, K., Kehler, D.S., Tutkaluke, T., Duhamel, T.A.,Strachan, S.M. (2022). Self-compassion, health behaviors, self-regulation, and affective states among individuals at risk of or diagnosed with a chronic disease: A scoping review. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01821-3. 
 
Pachu, N., Sandra, W., Strachan S.M., (available online, Feb. 2022). Effects of a self-affirmation intervention on university students’ processing of health risk messages related to sedentary behaviour. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2034831
 
Semenchuk, B., Onchulenko, S., & Strachan, S.M. (2021). Self-compassion and sleep quality: Examining the mediating role of taking a proactive health focus and cognitive emotional regulation strategies. Journal of Health Psychology, https://doi-org.uml.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/13591053211047148
 
Morgan, T.L., Semenchuk, B.N., Duhamel, T.A., Blanchard, C., Sweet, S.N., Kent, D., Meade, L., Whaley, D., & Strachan, S.M. (2021). Testing the physical activity self-definition model among inactive adults participating in a physical activity intervention. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 57.
 
Signore, A., Semenchuk, B., & Strachan, S.M. (2021). Self-compassion and exercise: Men and women's reactions to a recalled exercise setback. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 43, 477-487.
 
Kullman, S.M., Semenchuk, B., Schellenberg, B., Ceccarelli, L., & Strachan, S.M. (2021). Adjusting identities when times change: the role of self-compassion. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 43, 410 - 418. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2020-0342
 
Simpson, K., Semenchuk, B., & Strachan, S. (2021). Put MY mask on first: Mothers’ reactions to prioritizing health behaviours as a function of self-compassion and fear of self-compassion. Journal of Health Psychology. DOI: 10.1177/1359105321995979
 
Pachu, N., Strachan, S., McMillan, D., Ripat, J., & Webber, S. (2020). University students’ knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations and barriers to reducing sedentary behaviour: A qualitative study. Journal of American College Health, 70 (4) 1146-1153. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1786098. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.178609
 
Morgan, T., Semenchuk, B., Ceccarelli, L., Kullman, S.M., Neilson, C., Kehler, D.S., Duhamel, T.A., Strachan, S.M. (2020). Self-compassion, adaptive reactions and health behaviours among prediabetes and diabetes: A scoping review. Canadian Journal of Diabetes. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2020.05.009
 
Semenchuk, B.N.*, Boreskie, K.F.*, Hay, J.L., Miller, C., Duhamel, T.A., & Strachan, S.M. (2021). Self-compassion and responses to health information in middle-aged and older women: An observational cohort study. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(12), 2231-2247. DOI: 10.1177/1359105320909860.
 
Akinrolie, O., Barclay, R., Strachan, S., Gupta, A., Jasper, U., Jumbo, S., Askin, N., Rabbani, R., Zarychanski, R., & Abou-Setta, A. (2020). Motivational interviewing and physical activity among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics 38, 250-263
 
Miller, C.L., & Strachan, S.M. (2020). Understanding the role of mother guilt and self-compassion in health-promoting behaviours in mothers with young children. Women and Health. 60, 7, 763-775
 
Strachan, S.M.,Myre, M., Berry, T., Ceccarelli, L., Semenchuk, B., & Miller, C. (2020). Self-affirmation and physical activity messages. Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, 47.
 
Hamm N.C, Kehler D.S, Hay J.L, Stammers AN, Strachan, S.M, Bouchard DR, Duhamel T.A. (2019). A quasi-experimental study examining the impact of a fitness-based health risk assessment and a physical activity counseling intervention in the workplace setting on physical activity levels of hospital employees. Health Service Research Management Epidemiology. 6,
 
Ceccarell, L., Giuliano, R., Glazebrook, C., & Strachan, S. (2019). Self-compassion and psycho-physiological recovery from a recalled sport failure. Frontiers in Psychology. 10, 1564. DOI: 10.3389/psyg.201901564
 
Meade, L., Semenchuk, B., & Strachan, S. (2019). Is there positive in the negative? Understanding the role of guilt and shame in the self-regulation of physical activity. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2019.1581826
 
Boreski, K., Kehler, S., Costa, E., Hiebret, B., Hamm, N., Moffatt, T., Hay, J., Stammers, A., Kimber, D., Kent, D., Cornish, D., Arora, R., Strachan. S., Semenchuk, B., & Duhamel. T. (2019). Standardization of the Fried Frailty Phenotype improves cardiovascular disease risk discrimination. Experimental Gerontology, 119, 40-44.
 
Webber, S.C., Ripat, J.D., Pachu, N.S., & Strachan, S.M. (2019). Exploring physical activity and sedentary behaviour: perspectives of individual with osteoarthritis and knee arthroplasty. Disability and Rehabilitation https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1543463
 
Sessford, J.D., Brawley, L.R., Cary, M.A., Flora, P.K., Blouin, J.E., Strachan, S.M., & Gyurcsik, N.C. (2019). Facing multiple barriers to exercise: Does stronger efficacy help individuals with arthritis? Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 11, 59-79.
 
Strachan, S. M., Bean, C., & Jung, M. E. (2018). “I’m on the train and I can’t stop it”: Reactions to being prediabetic and the role of self-compassion. Health and Social Care in the Community. 26, 979-987.
 
Strachan, S.M., Stadig, G, Jung, M.E & Semenchuk, B. (2018). Affective and self-presentational reactions to a public exercise identity challenge. Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity. 36, 132-138.
 
Semenchuk, B., Fortier, M., & Strachan, S.M. (2018). Self-compassion and self- 40 (1), 31-39.
 
Guerin, E., Strachan, S.M., & Fortier, M.S. (2018). Exercise identity and well-being: Relationships regulation of exercise: Reactions to setbacks. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. with perceptions of identity behaviour consistency and passion. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. DOI: 1 0.1080/1612197X.2017.1421681
 
Boreski, K., Kehler S., Costa, E., Berkowitz, I., Hamm N., Moffatt, T., Stammers, A., Kimber, D, Biebert, B., Kent, D., Cornish, D., Blewett, H., Nguyen, T., Arora, R. Strachan, S.,Semenchuk, B. Hay, J. Cohn, J. & Duhamel, T. (2017). Protocol for the HAPPY Hearts Study – Cardiovascular screening for the early detection of future adverse cardiovascular outcomes in middle-aged and older women: A prospective, observational cohort study. British Medical Journal Open, 7 (11).
 
Boreski, K.F., Kehler, D.S., Costa, E.C., Cortez, P.C., Berkowitz, I., Hamm, N.C., Moffat, T.L., Stammers, A.N., Kimber, D.E., Hiebert, B.M., Kent, D.E., Cornish, D.E., Blewett, H., Nguyen, T., Arora, R.C., Strachan, S.M., Semenchuk, B.N., Hay, J.L., Cohn, J.N., & Duhamel, T.A. (2017). Pre-frailty and subclinical cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and older women. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism. 42, 10, p 662.
 
Sessford, J.D., Brawley, L.R., Cary, M.A., Flora, P.K., Blouin, J., Meade, L., Strachan, S., & Gyurcsik, N.C. (2017) Self-regulatory efficacy encourages exercise persistence despite arthritis flare symptoms. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-being, 9, 3, 285-302.
 
Strachan, S.M., Stadig, G., Forneris, T., & Perras, G.M. (2017). I am an exerciser: Common conceptualizations of and variation in exercise identity. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 15, 3, 321-336.
 
Webber, S., Pachu, N.,Strachan, S. (2017). Sedentary behaviour cadence and physical activity outcomes after knee arthroplasty. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49, 6, 1057-1065
 
Strachan, S.M., Marcotte, M., Giller, T., & Brunet, J & Schellenberg, B. (2017). An online intervention to increase physical activity: Self-regulatory possible selves and the mediating role of task self-efficacy. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 31, 158-165.
 
Perras, M., Strachan, S.M., Fortier, M & Dufault, B. (2016). Impact of a randomized possible selves experiment on new retirees’ physical activity and identity. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 13, 7.
 
Strachan, S.M., Perras, M.G.M., Brawley, L.R., & Spink, K.S. (2016). Exercise in challenging times: The predictive utility of identity, self-efficacy and past exercise. Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, 15, 3. 
 
Perras, M.G.M., Strachan, S.M., & Fortier, M. Possible selves and physical activity in Retirees: The mediating role of identity. (2016) Research on Aging, 38, 8, 819-841.

Kullman, S.M., Semenchuk, B.N., & Strachan, S.M. “it’s a core part of who I am”: A qualitative analysis of exercise group and exerciser role identities in the context of exercise group disbandment. (2022) Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/spy0000313