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

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.