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Why do you dance? Development of the Dance Motivation Inventory (DMI)
Aniko Maraz1, Orsolya Király2, Róbert Urbán3
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Addiction, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Plos One
|March 25, 2015
Summary
Dancing offers psychological benefits, with mood enhancement being the primary motivator for social dancers. A new Dance Motivation Inventory (DMI) identifies eight key factors driving participation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Kinesiology
- Sociology
Background:
- Recreational social dancing is a popular physical activity.
- Previous research indicates dancing positively impacts mental health, reducing anxiety and boosting self-esteem.
- Understanding the underlying motivations for engaging in social dancing is crucial for further research and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the motivational factors behind recreational social dancing.
- To develop and validate a new psychometric tool, the Dance Motivation Inventory (DMI), to measure these motivations.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to 447 participants (68% female, mean age 32.8 years) who engage in salsa and/or ballroom dancing.
- Exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify distinct motivational dimensions.
Main Results:
- Eight motivational factors were identified: Fitness, Mood Enhancement, Intimacy, Socialising, Trance, Mastery, Self-confidence, and Escapism.
- Mood Enhancement emerged as the strongest motivator for both genders, though specific motives varied by gender.
- Dancing intensity was significantly predicted by Mood Enhancement, Socialising, and Escapism.
Conclusions:
- The developed Dance Motivation Inventory (DMI) is a suitable tool for assessing the multifaceted motives of social recreational dancers.
- The identified motives, such as Mood Enhancement, Socialising, and Escapism, share similarities with motivations found in other behaviors like exercise and gaming.
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