A1 Journal article (refereed)
Dance movement therapy group improves social functioning and increases positive embodied experiences in social situations (2023)

Veid, N., Pollari, A., Hyvönen, K., & Pylvänäinen, P. (2023). Dance movement therapy group improves social functioning and increases positive embodied experiences in social situations. Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy: An International Journal for Theory, Research and Practice, 18(3), 201-217. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2022.2122563

JYU authors or editors

Veid, Natalia

Publication details

All authors or editors: Veid, Natalia; Pollari, Annukka; Hyvönen, Katriina; Pylvänäinen, Päivi

Journal or series: Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy: An International Journal for Theory, Research and Practice

ISSN: 1743-2979

eISSN: 1743-2987

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 11/10/2022

Volume: 18

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 201-217

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2022.2122563

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: Channel is not openly available

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/92633

Abstract

This Finnish study examined the impacts of a group-form dance movement therapy intervention on the social functioning, attachment styles, and embodied experiences during social situations of its participants. The sample consisted of Finnish working-age adults with diagnosed depression who were randomised into intervention and control groups. Participants responded to surveys at three measurement points: pre- and post-intervention, and a follow-up 3 months later. The quantitative results showed that social functioning increased in the intervention group between the pre-intervention and follow-up measurement points but there was no change in attachment styles. The embodied experiences of participants during social situations were analysed qualitatively. The prevalence of avoidant reactions and insecurity decreased between the pre-intervention and follow-up measurement points. This study deepens understanding of the embodied experiences depression sufferers encounter in social situations, and provides insight into the ways in which dance movement therapy may be effective in decreasing depressive symptoms.

Keywords: dance therapy; social functioning; intervention; depression (mental disorders); group therapy

Free keywords: dance movement therapy; DMT; social functioning; group intervention; CORE-OM; attachment

Fields of science: