Multidisciplinary predictors of adherence to contemporary dance training: findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training

Abstract

Little is known about the predictors of adherence in a dance context. The aim of this study was to investigate adherence to a dance talent programme using a multidisciplinary set of variables representing psychological correlates of adherence, maturation and physical factors relating to dance talent. Psychological (passion, motivational climate perceptions, eating attitudes), physical competence (vertical jump height, handgrip strength, hamstring flexibility, external hip rotation, aerobic fitness), and maturation-related (age of menarche) variables were gathered from female students enrolled on a dance talent programme. Participation behaviour (adherence/dropout) was collected from the talent programme's records approximately two years later. Logistic regression analysis of 287 participants revealed that greater levels of harmonious passion predicted greater likelihood of adherence to the programme, and greater ego-involving motivational climate perceptions predicted less likelihood of adherence. Neither measures of physical competence nor maturation distinguished adhering from dropout participants. Overall, the results of this study indicate that psychological factors are more important than physical competence and maturation in the participation behaviour of young talented dancers.

The role of psychological factors in the career of the independent dancer

“…The dancers’ ability to negotiate these transitions successfully appeared to rely on their motivation and psychological characteristics and skills ( Abbott and Collins, 2004 ; Stambulova et al, 2009 ), and, due to the exploratory and inductive nature of the research, additional factors such as social support, experience, and work-life balance. These findings provide support for a number of previous studies in areas including motivation (e.g., Aujla et al, 2014 , 2015 ), mental skills (e.g., Vealey, 2007 ) and PCDEs ( MacNamara et al, 2010a , b , 2008 ; MacNamara and Collins, 2011 ), and represent the first time that such factors have been investigated simultaneously in dance. The key findings will now be discussed in turn in relation to relevant literature.…”

“…The dancers reported a number of reasons for working independently, which included a strong love and passion for dance. Previous research has indicated that dancers are passionate about dancing, and that this passion is an important component of their commitment to dance ( Aujla et al, 2014 , 2015 ). Just like young dancers and those in training ( Alter, 1997 ; Nieminen, 1998 ; Aujla et al, 2014 ), the participants enjoyed the intrinsically motivating characteristics of dance such as creativity and working across artistic disciplines.…”

“…Dancers experience positive affect when the basic needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness are satisfied ( Quested and Duda, 2010 ), and dance does appear to be well-placed to satisfy the basic needs. For example in terms of relatedness, young dancers are motivated to spend time with like-minded peers who act as both friends and inspirational co-creators ( Aujla et al, 2014 ); in terms of autonomy, young dancers are more likely to persist at training when their teachers emphasize personal progression and effort ( Aujla et al, 2015 ). Furthermore, dancers are passionate about their art ( Aujla et al, 2014 , 2015 ) and derive a large part of their identity from dance ( Wainwright and Turner, 2004 ).…”

“…For example in terms of relatedness, young dancers are motivated to spend time with like-minded peers who act as both friends and inspirational co-creators ( Aujla et al, 2014 ); in terms of autonomy, young dancers are more likely to persist at training when their teachers emphasize personal progression and effort ( Aujla et al, 2015 ). Furthermore, dancers are passionate about their art ( Aujla et al, 2014 , 2015 ) and derive a large part of their identity from dance ( Wainwright and Turner, 2004 ). Taken together, these findings suggest that the intrinsically motivating experiences dance can offer lead to enhanced commitment and potentially psychological growth, through creating and realizing one’s own ideas for example.…”

“…Furthermore, these findings may help to explain why dancers continue in the face of hardships: young dancers report that they are aware of the challenges of a dance career but remain committed to their art because of the joy they derive from it ( Aujla et al, 2014 ). However, while published research has provided valuable information on motivation among dancers, the participants were young dancers ( Stinson, 1997 ; Aujla et al, 2014 , 2015 ), pre-professional dancers in training ( Nieminen, 1998 ; Quested and Duda, 2010 ) or professional ballet dancers, who typically work on long-term contracts ( Wainwright and Turner, 2004 ). To date, no research has investigated the motives of independent contemporary dancers; this study aims to examine why they continue to persist in a sector that is notoriously insecure and unstable.…”