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Empowering health through tradition: A grounded theory study on the impact of traditional Chinese physical activities on the well-being of full-time mothers

Cheng Xing(1), Zainal Abidin, N.E(2),


(1) Institute of Physical Education, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang 641100, Sichuan, China; Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
(2) Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Corresponding Author

Abstract


This study explores the impact of Traditional Chinese Physical Activities (TCPAs), such as Tai Chi and group dancing, on the well-being of non-working full-time mothers. Using a grounded theory approach, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 full-time mothers actively engaged in TCPAs. Data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding. Findings revealed that TCPAs function as embodied socio-cultural practices, enhancing emotional regulation, physical vitality, and social belonging. Three key pathways of influence were identified: structural embodiment, communal belonging, and cultural identity reinforcement, forming the core of the "empowerment through embodied tradition" theory. The study highlights the significance of TCPAs in improving full-time mothers' well-being—a demographic often overlooked in public health policies. It recommends that urban planners and health promoters adopt community-based, culturally rooted strategies to enhance accessibility to these activities.

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