The Arts in Psychotherapy: Psychological Well-being, Trait Emotional Intelligence, and Self-esteem among Dancers

This research aims to explore the implications of Indian dance forms on psychological well-being, emotional trait intelligence, and self-esteem. The study aims to assess whether years of training in dance have a relationship with psychological well-being, trait emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. The sample consists of individuals practising Indian dance forms and was divided into four groups; individuals who have been practising dance for 0-3 years; individuals who have been practising dance for 4-7 years; individuals who have been practising dance for 7- 10 years and individuals who have been practising dance for more than 10 years. The Psychological Well-being Scale (Ryff & Keyes, 1995) the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (Petrides & Furnham, 2003) and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale are used as tools of assessment for the present study. The analysis of the study revealed that a significant difference was found in the scores in terms of psychological well-being, trait emotional intelligence, and self-esteem, in participants who have been practising dance for 0-3 years and participants who have been practising dance for more than ten years, indicating that years of training in dance have a relationship with psychological well-being, trait emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. Further analysis also indicated correlations between the variables; psychological well-being, trait emotional intelligence, and self-esteem.