title: Dance practice and well-being correlates in young women.
abstract: Clinical research has shown the mental health benefits of dance practice. This has become a significant subject of inquiry in psychotherapeutic settings for the elderly and adolescents. However, the relationship between dance practice and correlates of psychological well-being, such as mindfulness and life satisfaction (LS)-two relevant indicators of mental health, has been explored relatively little in young women. The present study contrasted mindfulness and LS in young women (n = 81) who practiced dance regularly in three modern dance schools in the Province of Barcelona with a control group of non-practitioners (n = 120) studying at a university in Barcelona. The data were collected during the first semester of 2015, and the total sample had an average age of 20.88 ± 3.36 years. Analyses of covariance showed higher levels of both mindfulness and LS in the dance practitioners, while a multiple regression analysis showed that, after controlling for age, dance was the factor most strongly associated with LS, explaining 28% of the variance in LS. These results are discussed in terms of the embodiment theory, and conclusions suggest that dance may be an effective gender-focused practice to enhance well-being and promote mental health in young women.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, School of Psychology , Autonomous University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muro
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, School of Psychology , Autonomous University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Natàlia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Artero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003615:Dancing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D064866:Mindfulness; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dance; life satisfaction; mindfulness