Blake, Emma K (2024) The Way of Water: The Impact of Ocean Swimming and Blue Space on Older Adult’s Wellbeing. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Population ageing impacts individuals and communities and has broader socio-economic influences on public health policy. Evidence suggests that regular physical activity reduces the psychophysical impacts of ageing. Ocean swimming is a physical activity that promotes wellbeing and social connection. However, studies on immersive blue activities are sparse and focus on cold-water sea swimming with a broad age range of participants. Previous studies lack detail on participant demographics and methodological procedures, limiting the ability to draw meaningful conclusions and understandings from the data. This study explored the blue space experiences of older adult ocean swimmers within a biopsychosocial (BPS) framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine ocean swimmers at Balmoral and Manly in Sydney, Australia. Data were analysed inductively and deductively, using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase reflexive thematic analysis, and three key themes were identified: wellbeing benefits, relationship with the water, and social connection. This study provided a detailed understanding of older adults’ immersive blue space experiences and the resulting biopsychosocial benefits. It extends existing research from cold-water to warmer water environments, focusing on an older adult population. It supports the BPS model, demonstrating the interconnection between biological, psychological, and social aspects of wellbeing. This study has implications for policy and practice, particularly in health promotion for older adults, and it could encourage older adult participation in ocean swimming. It has theoretical implications suggesting the dynamic BPS model might better explain the wellbeing benefits of ocean swimming by including the reciprocal influence of the environment.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Dr Winterbotham, Sonya |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Jan 2026 01:54 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jan 2026 01:54 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | biopsychosocial wellbeing, blue space, ocean swimming, older adults |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520303 Counselling psychology 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53078 |
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