Assessing the Differences between Dancers and Non Dancers in Psychological Well-being, Quality of Life, and Perceived Stress

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2024 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 11 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2024

Authors : Aarya Ramesh Nair

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V11I6P104

How to Cite?

Aarya Ramesh Nair, "Assessing the Differences between Dancers and Non Dancers in Psychological Well-being, Quality of Life, and Perceived Stress," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 11,  no. 6, pp. 43-52, 2024. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V11I6P104

Abstract:

Dancing is a potent expressive medium that supports mental health and fosters a strong sense of self and other interpersonal connections. The joy of movement fosters creativity, mental resilience, and physical fitness. Furthermore, enjoyment of dance leads to feelings of relaxation and a sense of being in the moment, which will dependably diminish anxiety and promote good feelings. This approach to improving man that goes beyond the physical control of the body will not only enhance health but also stimulate personal awareness. Finally, dance becomes the means of developing the self and healing interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts to enrich personal and mutual human life. The study investigates differences in psychological well-being, quality of life, and perceived stress between dancers and non-dancers. The study was conducted on 72 respondents (Dancers = 45, Non-dancers = 27). Responses to the standardised questionnaires assessing psychological well-being, quality of life and perceived stress were collected from the respondents. Findings from the study revealed a significant difference in quality of life and years of practice, psychological well-being and years of practice, wherein years of practice included non-dancers and dancers with 4 years and above of practice.

Keywords:

Dancers, Non-dancers, Psychological well-being, Quality of life, Stress.

References:

[1] Iris Bräuninger, “The Efficacy of Dance Movement Therapy Group on Improvement of Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” The Arts in Psychotherapy, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 296-303, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Sheldon Cohen, Tom Kamarck, and Robin Mermelstein, “A Global Measure of Perceived Stress,” Journal of Health and Social Behavior, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 385-396, 1983.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Dhwani Shah, Dance as a Tool for Emotional Expression and Stress Management, Classcard, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.classcardapp.com/blog/dance-as-a-tool-for-emotional-expression-and-self management#:~:text=Mindfulness&text=The%20repetitive%20and%20rhythmic%20nature,effectively%20in%20your%20daily%20life
[4] Dhwani Shah, Dance as a Tool for Emotional Expression and Stress Management, Classcard, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.classcardapp.com/blog/dance-as-a-tool-for-emotional-expression-and-self management#:~:text=Mindfulness&text=The%20repetitive%20and%20rhythmic%20nature,effectively%20in%20your%20daily%20life
[5] Anna Muro, and Natàlia Artero Grad, “Dance Practice and Well-Being Correlates in Young Women,” Women & Health, vol. 57, no. 10, pp. 1193-1203, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] B.M. DeJesus et al., “Incorporation of Dance Practice into The Lifestyle of People with Disabilities and Its Impact on Quality of Life Over Time,” Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - International, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 1-8, 2021.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Spiritual Significance of Indian Classical Dance, Liberalarts, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://liberalarts.dpu.edu.in/blogs/indian classical-dance-spirituality
[8] Furtados School of Music, Benefits of Dance! How Dance Enhances Physical Fitness and Coordination in Students, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://furtadosschoolofmusic.com/blog/how-dance-enhances-physical-fitness-and-coordination-in students/#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20Dance-,Cardiovascular%20Health,and%20promoting%20better%20blood%20circulation
[9] Dimitris Goulimaris et al., “Relationships Between Basic Psychological Needs and Psychological Well-Being in Recreational Dance Activities,” Journal of Physical Education and Sport, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 277-284, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Charanya Gurusathya, “Dance as A Catalyst for Stress Busting,” Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 15-29, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Lena Hammergren, “Review of Choreography and Narrative: Ballet’s Staging of Story and Desire; Gendering Bodies/Performing Art: Dance and Literature in Early Twentieth-Century British Culture, The University of Chicago Press, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 1075-1077, 1998.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Judith Lynne Hanna, To Dance Is Human: A Theory of Nonverbal Communication, University of Chicago Press, pp. 1-327, 1987.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Pil Hansen, Caitlin Main, and Liza Hartling, “Dance Intervention Affects Social Connections and Body Appreciation Among Older Adults in The Long Term Despite COVID-19 Social Isolation: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 12, pp. 1 17, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Dance - Health Benefits, Betterhealth, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dance-health benefits
[15] Herança - History, Heritage and Culture Journal, Revistaheranca, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://revistaheranca.com/index.php/heranca
[16] Carol S. Burakhardt, Instructions For Scoring the Quality of Life Scale, pp. 1-2, 1989.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Mark L. Knapp, and Judith A. Hall, Instructor’S Resource Manual: Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction, 8th ed.,University of Texas, Austin, pp. 1-27, 2024.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Sabine C. Koch, Katharina Morlinghaus, and Thomas Fuchs, “The Joy Dance: Specific Effects of a Single Dance Intervention on Psychiatric Patients with Depression,” The Arts in Psychotherapy, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 340-349, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Monika Kulshreshtha et al., “Self-Reported Perceived Stress, Depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Kathak Dancers and Physically Active Non-Dancers of North India,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, pp. 1-7, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Laia Jorba-Galdos, “Creativity and Dissociation: Dance/Movement Therapy Interventions for the Treatment of Compartmentalized Dissociation,” The Arts in Psychotherapy, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 467-477, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Kelsey T. Laird et al., “Conscious Dance: Perceived Benefits and Psychological Well-Being of Participants,” Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, vol. 44, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Ju-Ae Lee, Seung-Hye Jung, and Byung-Ju Ahn, “Analysis of Stress Factors by Female Dancer Characteristics,” Korean Journal of Sports Science, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 659-677, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Darginidou Lemonia, Dimitrios Goulimaris, and Mavridis Georgios, “Social Skills and Prediction of the Quality of Life of Adolescents: The Case of Dance and Physical Activities,” Journal of Physical Education and Sport, vol. 17, no. s2, pp. 502-508, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Jingting Lu, “The Effects of Dance Interventions on Physical Function and Quality of Life Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review,” Plos One, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 1-24, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] Indrani Margolin, “Bodyself: Linking Dance and Spirituality,” Dance, Movement & Spiritualities, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 143-162, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] William H. McNeill, Keeping Together in Time: Dance and Drill in Human History, Harvard University Press, pp. 1-216, 1997.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Anna Muro, and Natàlia Artero Grad, “Dance Practice and Well-Being Correlates in Young Women,” Women & Health, vol. 57, no. 10, pp. 1193-1203, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Khayathi Padia, “Effect of Dance Aerobics on Perceived Stress in Physiotherapy Students,” World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, vol. 6, no. 8, pp. 2217-2227, 2017.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Clara Pina, Communication & Expression - Staying Connected Through Dance, The Dance Ability Movement, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://danceabilitymovement.com/communication-expression-staying-connected-through-dance/
[30] D. Carol Ryff, “Happiness Is Everything, Or Is It? Explorations on the Meaning of Psychological Well-Being,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 57, no. 6, pp. 1069-1081, 1989.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] State of New Hampshire Employee Assistance Program, Perceived Stres Scale, 1983.
[Google Scholar]
[32] Paraskevi Theofilou, “Quality of Life: Definition and Measurement,” Europe’s Journal of Psychology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 150-162, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33] Kapila Vatsyayan, Classical Indian Dance: In Literature and the Arts, DK Printworld, 2022.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Vivekananda Kendra, Vivekananda Kendra Patrika: Theme: Dances of India, Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan, pp. 1-148, 1981. 
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]