In our blog this month, we will be discussing some of the research about how dance impacts one’s concept of self. What we think about ourselves affects how we feel about ourselves and in turn affects how we interact and behave with others. In 1959, Carl Rogers, one of the founders of humanistic psychology, theorized that self-concept consists of three components: self-image (how you see yourself), self-esteem or self-worth (how you value yourself), and ideal-self (who you want to be).1 The greater the overlap between your self-image and ideal-self, the closer you are to achieving self-actualization, the state at which you realize your full potential.2 Self-concept, which develops throughout childhood and into early adulthood, is thought to be more malleable at these earlier stages.3 However, self-concept maintenance theory suggests that, at all ages, we are constantly evaluating ourselves, comparing our self-image with our ideal-self, and subsequently taking actions to move towards our ideal-self, consciously or unconsciously.4
Can social dance impact one’s self-concept? A study in non-professional, adult social dancers found that dancing improved their self-esteem, a component of self-concept, by increasing their self-confidence and self-awareness.5 These social dancers felt that dance helped them to be more in harmony with themselves, allowed for better creativity and concentration, and made them feel more attractive or youthful. Women tended to report more positive benefits than men in this study, and those that danced more frequently reported greater positive effects. Self-esteem is thought to be an important factor in well-being.5
Recreational dance interventions has been shown to have similar positive effects on aspects of self in younger and older age groups. A review of dance studies showed that teenage girls taking recreational dance had improvements in physical self-worth and perceived body attractiveness.6 One study found that exposure to various types of dance twice a week for 8 months lead to greater self-trust and self-confidence in adolescent girls suffering from somatic symptoms (body aches, tiredness) and mental health issues (stress, anxiety, nervousness).7 Healthy, retired seniors taking dance/movement sessions twice a week for 8 months had significantly higher positive self-concept in the areas of the physical self (e.g. physical health) and self-worth than a control group of seniors who did not participate in the dance sessions.8 An analytical review of dance intervention studies in children and adolescents, in young adults, and in older adults found that dance can positively impact different aspects of self, especially body-related perceptions.9
We did an informal survey of fellow dancers on Facebook by asking what drew them to dance and how it has impacted their life. Some of these dancers started dance as children, some started as young adults, and some started later in life. Many talked about feeling “alive” or “free”, being able to freely express themselves when they dance, feeling greater connection with others, and feeling more creative in general. Some also talked of increased self-confidence and reduced stress.
How has your dance journey impacted you? If you are not a dancer, perhaps you should give dance a try. Check out some of the Latin and African classes that we offer. Who knows? Maybe you too will discover a new passion that brings you closer to your ideal self.
References
1. Rogers, C. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality and interpersonal relationships as developed in the client-centered framework. In (ed.) S. Koch, Psychology: A Study of a Science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the Person and the Social Context, pp. 184-256. New York: McGraw Hill.
2. McLeod SA. (2008) Self concept. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html.
3. Bracken BA, Bunch S, Keith TZ, Keith PB. 2000. Child and adolescent multidimensional self-concept: A five-instrument factor analysis. Psychol Schools, 37(6) 483-493. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807(200011)37:6<483::AID-PITS1>3.0.CO;2-R
4. Ackerman CE. (2021) What is self-concept theory? A psychologist explains. PositivePsychology.com, https://positivepsychology.com/self-concept/.
5. Quiroga Murcia C, Kreutz G, Clift S, and Bongard S. (2010) Shall we dance? An exploration of the perceived benefits of dancing on well-being, Arts Health, 2(2): 149-163, DOI: 10.1080/17533010903488582.
6. Burkhardt J and Brennan C. (2012). The effects of recreational dance interventions on the health and well-being of children and young people: A systematic review. Arts Health, 4:1-14. DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2012.665810
7. Duberg A, Möller M, and Sunvisson H. (2016) “I feel free”: Experiences of a dance intervention for adolescent girls with internalizing problems. Int. J. Qual. Studies Health Well-being, 11:1. DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v11.31946
8. Berryman-Miller S. (1988) Dance/Movement: Effects on elderly self-concept. J. Phys. Ed. Rec. Dance, 59(5):42-46, https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.1988.10609754
9. Schwender TM, Spengler S, Oedl C, Mess F. (2018). Effects of dance interventions on aspects of the participants’ self: a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01130. ISSN=1664-1078
