A pilot mixed-methods evaluation of a dance-based wellbeing programme in a women's prison

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Arts Therapy

Background:

• Incarcerated women face significant mental health challenges.
• Creative interventions like dance are needed in correctional facilities.
• Dance United Yorkshire (DUY) offers a dance wellbeing program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a dance wellbeing program's impact on incarcerated women.
• To explore the mechanisms behind dance's effects on wellbeing, confidence, and relationships.
• To assess the feasibility of a short, arts-based intervention in a women's prison.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods, realist-informed pilot evaluation.
• A five-day dance program for 12 incarcerated women.
• Data collection via observation, interviews, focus groups, and psychometric tools (WEMWBS, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) at four time points.

Main Results:

• Increased wellbeing and confidence immediately post-program.
• Partial retention of benefits at four-week follow-up.
• Key mechanisms: processing emotions, developing agency, and strengthening peer relationships.

Conclusions:

• Short, arts-based dance interventions show promise for enhancing incarcerated women's mental wellbeing.
• The program demonstrated positive impacts on confidence and social connections.
• Further multi-site evaluations are warranted to confirm these findings.