Dans är aktivitet som väcker positiva emotioner och förknippas med bland annat högtider, musik, social gemenskap, motion och andra positiva händelser, vilka är faktorer som kan bidra till lycka. Exempelvis har forskningsvärldens nyfikenhet på fritidsaktiviteter lett till att pardans, som generellt setts som en social och kulturell aktivitet, numera blivit accepterad som alternativ behandlingsform mot psykisk ohälsa såsom stress, ångest och depression. Dock fann jag i min litteraturundersökning att det var få studier som var gjorda där man undersökte socialdansen (pardans utan tävlingsinslag) och dess påverkan på friska människors lycka. Därför ämnade föreliggande studie undersöka sambandet mellan socialdans och lycka. För att besvara frågeställningarna mättes de oberoende variablerna duration, intensitet och frekvens i socialdans med de två beroende variablerna livstillfredsställelse (kognitiv lycka) och välbefinnande (affektiv lycka). Självskattningsskalan SWLS användes för att mäta livstillfredsställelse och PANAS C för att mäta upplevt välbefinnande. Deltagarna var 136 socialdansare i åldrarna 19–70 år, från olika delar av Sverige, med en medelålder på 37,83 år (SD = 12,138 år), där 68 procent var kvinnor och 43 procent var män. Multipel linjär regression användes för dataanalysen. Resultaten visade att endast variabeln duration uppvisade signifikant värde gällande prediktion av kognitiv lycka (livstillfredsställelse). Däremot visade också resultaten av samtliga oberoende variabler; duration, frekvens och intensitet, signifikanta värden gällande prediktion av affektiv lycka (välbefinnande). / Dance is an activity that evokes positive emotions and is associated with, among others: festivals, music, community, exercise and other positive occasions; factors that seem to contribute to happiness. The research community's curiosity within the field of recreational activities has for instance led to the fact that ballroom dancing, commonly viewed as a social and cultural activity, now has been accepted as an alternate form of treatment for mental illness, such as stress, anxiety and depression. However, in my literature overview I found that there were few studies on social dancing (basically ballroom dancing without the competitive components) and its effects on healthy human beings' happiness. Therefore, this study endeavors to investigate the relation between social dancing and happiness. To answer the questions, the independent variables duration, intensity and frequency in social dancing were measured and related to the dependent variables of perceived happiness, life satisfaction (cognitive happiness), and general well-being (affective happiness). The selfreport scale SWLS was used to measure life satisfaction and PANAS C to measure perceived well-being. The participants were 136 social dancers 2 between the ages of 19-70 years, with an average age of 37.8 years (SD = 12.1 years); 68 percent were women and 43 percent were men. Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis. The results show that only the variable duration showed significance in predicting cognitive happiness, i.e. satisfaction of life. However, the results showed that all the independent variables of duration, intensity and frequency showed a significant value for prediction of affective happiness, i.e.general well-being.

Title: Developing a dancing-motion programme for senior citizens Objectives: The objective of this diploma work was to develop and apply a dancing-motion programme for seniors and to characterize its benefits for senior individuals aged between 60 and 90. Methods: Using quantitative and qualitative methods we evaluated the quality of developing a dancing-motion programme for seniors. We used the method of inquiry with the techniques of survey, observation and group interview. The praxix took place in a chosen retirement home during the time period of three months. Results: The achieved results of my work are described in detail in the result part of my work and summarized in its discussion part. The results of our research showed that although the developing and the application of the dancing-motion programme was positively evaluated by the probational group, its level of difficulty did not quite suit the seniors' psysical abilities and that is why it was found difficult by them. Key words: Dancing-motion activity, seniors, dancing-motion programme

This is an analysis of how young Latino men and their female dance partners communicate their romantic intentions while dancing, or perhaps through dancing. I find that apparent ethnic and class distinctions and levels of romantic interest affect the way these people dance, especially in three key indices of romantic intentions: eye contact, hand placement, and hip position. Because these intentions are culturally unspeakable in this context, talk is important mostly for its non-referential effects.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a health protective behaviour that is critical in the reduction of most major chronic diseases. It also provides the participant with psychological benefits. Despite its well-established health benefits, PA engagement is low in the adult population. Women over the age of 60 are the least physically active segment and thus an important target for behaviour change interventions. Objective: The purpose of this mixed methods feasibility study was to explore the feasibility of six-week Self-Determination Theory (SDT)-based dance and walking programs for older women. Design: This was a parallel, randomized controlled trial with three groups: dance, walking, and wait-list control. This study included the sequential collection of quantitative then qualitative data (sequential explanatory design). Setting: This study was conducted in Victoria, BC. Participants: Participants were community-dwelling, English-speaking women aged 55-70 years who were not meeting PA guidelines. Methods: Data were collected at baseline and two endpoints: post-intervention at six weeks and follow-up at 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were feasibility measures: recruitment, intervention adherence, retention, and satisfaction. Survey data included self-reported PA (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire) and measures of behavioural regulations and psychological needs (SDT constructs) using validated tools (Behavioural Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-2 and Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale). Qualitative data were collected in the form of open- and close-ended program evaluation questions and during focus group interviews, both occurring at post-intervention (six weeks). Results: The feasibility measures suggest that it is feasible to recruit and retain participants and that they were generally satisfied with the programs. Thirty-five of 37 randomized participants completed the study (mean age ± SD = 62.8 ± 4.8), representing a 39% recruitment rate and 95% retention rate. Both programs were highly attended. Exploratory effect sizes for the quantitative measures were promising for conducting a larger-scale trial. Emergent themes highlighted the importance of the leadership component of the group-based PA programs. Conclusion: This study had high protocol adherence, promising effect sizes, program evaluation satisfaction, and a recreation centre took on the dance program; these factors provide a foundation for expanding this feasibility trial to a full-scale study. / Graduate / 2017-12-01

Diversas modalidades terapêuticas não tradicionais, como Ginástica, Yoga e Tai Chi Chuan, oferecem contribuições importantes na assistência a portadores de transtornos mentais em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS), e, a Dança do Ventre, com suas características, reúne condições de oferecer a mesma contribuição, particularmente, às mulheres usuárias destes Centros. Assim sendo, o presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar a contribuição desta Dança na educação corporal, saúde física e mental das citadas mulheres. Para isto, planejamos 11 aulas de Dança do Ventre e aplicamos semanalmente a 9 mulheres usuárias de um CAPS, com diferentes diagnósticos, que se constituiram nos sujeitos do estudo, e, através de seus depoimentos, obtidos com questionários que aplicamos antes delas terem contato com as aulas; após vivenciarem toda a experiência, e, também, através de seus depoimentos, registrados ao final de cada aula por dois observadores participantes, treinados para esse fim, pudemos verificar a citada contribuição. Os resultados mostraram que, a Dança do Ventre, contribuiu na melhora da auto-estima e da auto-confiança das mulheres, auxiliou no seu tratamento no CAPS e teve contribuição considerável na educação corporal, na saúde física e mental delas, melhorando assim sua qualidade de vida, e, consequentemente, proporcionando um covívio melhor em seu meio social e familiar. / Various non-traditional therapeutic modalities, such as Gymnastics, Yoga and Tai Chi Chuan, offer important contributions to care for patients with mental disorders at Psychosocial Care Centers (PCC). The characteristics of Belly Dancing possess the necessary conditions to offer the same contribution, particularly to the women who use these Centers. This study aimed to verify the contribution of this dance type to the body education, physical and mental health of the above mentioned women. Hence, we planned 11 Belly Dancing classes, offered on a weekly basis to 9 women who attended a PCC, with different diagnoses, who were the subjects of this study. Their testimonies obtained by means of questionnaires, which were applied before they had any contact with the classes and after the entire experience, as well as their testimonies recorded at the end of each class by two participating observers, who had been trained for this purpose, allowed us to verify the above mentioned contribution. Results showed that Belly Dancing contributed to better self-esteem and self-confidence among these women, it helped in their treatment at the PCC and made a considerable contribution to their body education, physical and mental health, thus improving their quality of life and, consequently, enabling them to live in their social and family environment.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2009. / Release of full electronic text on OhioLINK has been delayed until June 1, 2012. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 371-443)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Release of full electronic text on OhioLINK has been delayed until June 1, 2012. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 371-443)

Dancehall is an influential space of cultural creation and expression within Jamaican society. This study is about how Jamaican dancehall is being performed, and what this performance means to its participants. Dancehall is mainly practiced by lower-class Jamaicans. This thesis focuses on dancers as a specific group among these participants. During 15 weeks I lived in Kingston and participated in dancehall culture daily. The fieldwork was focused on one dance group called “The Black Eagles”. The dancehall is gender structured and most dancers are men who organize in male crews. Practicing dancehall can be seen as a cultural resistance to structural injustice, while it also works to enforce oppressive ideologies. Dancehall culture is criticized for being immoral, inappropriate and violent. Dancehall is a survival strategy for many lower-class Jamaicans and an alternative to a life in crime. The Black Eagles dance because they love it, but the main motivation for initiating a career as a dancehall dancer is the hope of getting a better life. Digital technology and social media have helped dancers to reach this goal. Through social media, the dancehall dance has gained international popularity. This thesis relates to broader themes such as development, poverty, globalization, gender and identity.

Thesis (M.M.)--Bowling Green State University, 2008. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 84 p. : ill., music. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Indiana University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.