Using Qualitative and Co-Design Methods to Develop a Theory-Informed Mother-Daughter Intervention Prototype Targeting Physical Activity in Pre-Teen Girls

Pre-teen girls of lower socio-economic position (SEP) are less likely to be physical active. Maternal support is positively related to child and adolescent physical activity (PA) even more so for girls, thus is makes sense to position mothers as a central part of family-based interventions promoting PA in pre-teen girls. The overall aim of this PhD was to use qualitative and co-design methods to develop a mother-daughter intervention prototype targeting PA in pre-teen girls. Outline of Thesis Methods: This thesis is comprised of four studies. The first study was a systematic review that examined the intervention characteristics, and behaviour change theory and techniques used in mother-daughter interventions targeting PA. Study 2 used qualitative methods to explore mothers’ experiences of supporting their daughter to be physically active and their perceptions of the factors that might influence these experiences, using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Study 3 also used qualitative methods to explore pre-teen girls’ experiences of being physically active and their perceptions of the factors that might influence these experiences, using the TDF. Finally, Study 4 used co-design methods to develop an evidence-and theory-informed mother-daughter mHealth intervention prototype targeting PA in pre-teen girls. Overview of Thesis Results and Conclusions: This thesis found that there is a need to use co-design methods to systematically develop a theory-based mother-daughter intervention targeting PA in pre-teen girls. The work in the PhD was guided by the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework, the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the TDF. In addition, this work involved meaningful engagement with mothers of pre-teen daughters and pre-teen girls throughout the development process. Overall, this thesis comprehensively details the qualitative and co-design methods used to develop a theory-informed mother-daughter intervention prototype that is ready for feasibility and acceptability testing. In addition this thesis offers methodological insights that can assist researchers in the future develop, implement and evaluate more rigorous and cost-effective research.