1.4. Describe the ways in which the experience of an activity can be negative

This guide will help you answer 1.4. Describe the ways in which the experience of an activity can be negative.

While activities usually aim to support well-being, not every experience is positive. Problems during or after an activity can leave a person feeling worse. In health and social care, it is important to notice and understand the reasons why an activity could be negative. Knowing these helps avoid harm and support recovery if things go wrong.

A negative experience might affect someone’s emotions, physical health, confidence, behaviour, or relationships. Here’s how this can happen.

Emotional Distress

Some activities can lead to distress rather than enjoyment. If a person feels forced to join in or their wishes are ignored, they may:

• Feel embarrassed or singled out
• Become anxious or stressed
• Experience sadness, shame, or even anger
• Feel excluded or unwelcome
• Lose interest in future activities

For example, an older adult asked to sing in front of a group (without wanting to) may feel uncomfortable and anxious. If they do not have the confidence to refuse, this may lower their trust in staff or other people.

Lack of Choice or Control

An activity that does not offer real choice often feels negative. People value having control over what they do, when they do it, and with whom.

Negative outcomes from lack of choice might include:

• Feeling helpless or powerless
• Becoming passive and withdrawn
• Losing confidence in their opinions
• Resenting those leading the activity

If a worker always picks the activity and does not ask what people want, service users might feel their preferences do not matter. They might stop joining future sessions.

Physical Discomfort or Harm

Unsafe or poorly planned activities risk causing physical discomfort, fatigue, or even injury.

Ways this can happen:

• Not taking account of medical needs (for example, offering a strenuous exercise to someone with heart problems)
• Lack of appropriate equipment or adaptations
• Pushing someone to continue beyond their limits
• Ignoring pain, stiffness, or tiredness

For instance, encouraging someone to take part in a gardening activity without checking for allergies to plants or the sun can result in rashes, sunburn, or breathing problems.

Overwhelming or Frustrating Demands

Activities that are too hard, too fast, or require skills a person does not have can lead to frustration.

Negative effects include:

• Feeling “left behind” or slow
• Developing a sense of failure
• Losing belief in their abilities
• Refusing to try next time

Imagine a person with early dementia struggling with a complicated board game in a group. If they cannot keep up, they may become distressed or act out.

Triggers for Painful Memories

Activities sometimes remind people of past traumas or losses. For example, certain music, games, or photos can bring back sad or painful memories.

When this happens, the person may:

• Feel tearful or upset
• Withdraw from the group
• Display sudden changes in mood or behaviour

Staff must be sensitive and watch for signs of emotional pain, adjusting the activity or offering support as needed.

Exclusion or Discrimination

If activities are not made accessible or are culturally insensitive, people may feel excluded.

This can include:

• Using language not understood by everyone
• Ignoring cultural, religious, or personal preferences
• Not providing adaptations for disabilities
• Failing to create a welcoming environment

A lack of inclusiveness may cause:

• Feeling isolated from the group
• Lower self-esteem or embarrassment
• Anger or mistrust towards staff and services

For example, a lunch club that only offers foods from one culture may leave some people unable to join in or feel respected.

Poor Planning or Lack of Preparation

Badly organised activities can fail to engage, become boring, or even be unsafe.

Possible problems are:

• Activity materials missing or broken
• Confusing instructions
• No backup plan if the main activity cannot continue
• Room too hot, cold, noisy or cramped

This can cause boredom, disappointment, or frustration for everyone involved, damaging trust in the care setting.

Peer Conflict or Negative Social Interaction

Negative social interactions are possible, especially if the group is not well managed.

This includes:

• Arguments or bullying
• Some people taking over while others are ignored
• Unkind comments about mistakes or abilities

As a result, a person may:

• Lose confidence
• Avoid group activities in future
• Feel lonely or rejected even in a crowd

Loss of Dignity or Respect

When activities are not person-centred, people may lose their sense of dignity.

Common ways this can occur:

• Not giving people privacy or respect during personal care activities
• Sharing personal stories or achievements without permission
• Treating adults like children

Experiencing a loss of dignity can hurt a person’s self-worth and trust in those around them.

Fatigue or Overstimulation

Activities that go on too long or are too intense can lead to tiredness or sensory overload.

Signs include:

• Slumping or looking very tired
• Becoming irritable or agitated
• Covering ears or closing eyes (if noise or lights are too much)
• Needing to leave before the activity ends

Some people, such as those with autism or learning disabilities, are sensitive to noise, lights, or busy groups. If staff ignore this, people may become distressed or withdrawn.

Lack of Feedback or Recognition

When effort and achievement go unnoticed, people feel undervalued.

This happens if:

• Staff only notice mistakes
• No one praises effort, no matter how small
• People’s progress is not celebrated

A lack of encouragement can lead to apathy, lower motivation, or even depression.

Negative Impact on Physical or Mental Health

Some activities can worsen a person’s condition if not suitable or planned with care.

For example:

• A person with arthritis forced to join high-impact exercises may suffer more pain
• Someone with social anxiety pushed to lead a group could feel more anxious or panicked
• Mixing people with clashing needs or personalities may increase stress or lead to arguments

Bad experiences affect appetite, sleep, mood, and willingness to stay involved in care.

Impact on Trust

People look to care workers for safe, supportive experiences. Repeated negative experiences can harm trust.

Consequences may include:

• Reluctance to try new activities
• Reduced openness with staff
• Withdrawing from care or avoiding contact

Building trust back up takes time and lots of positive, supportive action.

Final Thoughts

A poor experience of an activity can leave lasting harm. People may feel excluded, lose confidence, become less active, or even suffer injury or emotional pain. Negative experiences can affect both mind and body, sometimes making health or behaviour worse.

Care staff need to look for early signs of distress and always adapt activities to fit each person. Listening, respecting choices, and preparing well can help avoid most negative experiences. Where problems do arise, strong support and open communication help restore confidence and emotional safety.