Acutely enhancing affective state and social connection following an online dance intervention during the COVID-19 social isolation crisis

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many throughout the world to isolate themselves from their respective communities to stop the spread of disease. Although this form of distancing can prevent the contraction of a virus, it results in social isolation and physical inactivity. Consequently, our communities have become heavily reliant on digital solutions to foster social connection and increase physical activity when forced to isolate. Dance is a multidimensional form of physical activity that includes sensory, motor, cognitive, rhythmic, creative, and social elements. Long-term, interventional studies in dance have shown positive effects on both mental and social health; however, little has been done to examine the acute effects and no studies to date have explored the relationship between the affective state and social outcomes of dance. We examined the hypothesis that online dance is associated with improvements in affective state and social connection during a time of social isolation, namely, the COVID-19 crisis. Healthy adults (age ≥ 18; n = 47) engaged in a single session of 60 min of self-selected online dance, completing a series of validated self-reported questionnaires before and after class. We found that online dance was associated with improvements in affective state as measured by increased positive affect and self-esteem and decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms. Additionally, online dance was associated with improvements in social and community connectedness. Further, we found that those who experienced the largest increases in self-esteem and decreases in negative affect demonstrated the largest gains in social connectivity. Although in-person dance classes may be optimal for formalized dance training, online dance instruction offers an accessible platform that can provide mental and social health benefits during the COVID-19 social isolation crisis. We conclude that through online dance, individuals can experience a connection between the body, mind, and community.

Emotional labor mediates the associations between self-consciousness and flow in dancers

“…Third, as we implemented a between-subject design to examine emotional labor strategies with and without being watched by spectators, there might be confounding factors uncontrolled between the two samples affecting the results, even if the dancing skills of the dancers were deemed on the same level by experts. Given that existing studies on online dancing during COVID-19 are really rare 79 , 80 , there is still much room for future research to continue to look into emotional labor strategies under such a unique condition of dancing in contrast to that on the stage. Though the closure of schools as a result of the pandemic has ended in China, dance students might practice dancing alone in front of a mirror or camera at ordinary times, which is also an important dance scene worthy of study.…”

Expanding the social cure: a mixed-methods approach exploring the role of online group dance as support for young people (aged 16-24) living with anxiety.

“…There has been some research on the role of group dance as a support for mental health and loneliness. For example, after a single session for adults, increases in positive affect, self-esteem, social connectedness, and community connectedness were found, as well as decreases in negative affect and depressive symptoms (Humphries et al, 2023). A 12-session dance programme for intimate partner violence survivors' mental health found some evidence of a reduction in distress (Özümerzifon et al, 2022).…”

Digital technology and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review with a focus on depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma

“…Online physical activity sessions, such as virtual reality exercise (74), interactive physical-activity-based games (75), singing (76), and dance (77), have also been shown to be effective in reducing depressive and anxious symptoms.…”