title: Why do you dance? Development of the Dance Motivation Inventory (DMI).
abstract: Dancing is a popular form of physical exercise and studies have show that dancing can decrease anxiety, increase self-esteem, and improve psychological wellbeing. The aim of the current study was to explore the motivational basis of recreational social dancing and develop a new psychometric instrument to assess dancing motivation. The sample comprised 447 salsa and/or ballroom dancers (68% female; mean age 32.8 years) who completed an online survey. Eight motivational factors were identified via exploratory factor analysis and comprise a new Dance Motivation Inventory: Fitness, Mood Enhancement, Intimacy, Socialising, Trance, Mastery, Self-confidence and Escapism. Mood Enhancement was the strongest motivational factor for both males and females, although motives differed according to gender. Dancing intensity was predicted by three motivational factors: Mood Enhancement, Socialising, and Escapism. The eight dimensions identified cover possible motives for social recreational dancing, and the DMI proved to be a suitable measurement tool to assess these motives. The explored motives such as Mood Enhancement, Socialising and Escapism appear to be similar to those identified in other forms of behaviour such as drinking alcohol, exercise, gambling, and gaming.
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology and Addiction, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Aniko
authors: A
authors: Maraz
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology and Addiction, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Orsolya
authors: O
authors: Király
authors: Department of Personality and Health Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Róbert
authors: R
authors: Urbán
authors: Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors: Mark D
authors: MD
authors: Griffiths
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology and Addiction, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Zsolt
authors: Z
authors: Demetrovics
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003615:Dancing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009042:Motivation; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D012951:Socialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires