The Association Between the Subjective Exercise Experience of Chinese Women Participating in Square Dance and Group Cohesion: The Mediating Effect of Income

Abstract

Background: Chinese square dance has become well known worldwide in recent years, and most participants are women who dance with a group in their communities. In particular, middle-aged women may have physical and mental health problems, and participating in square dance may increase women’s positive subjective well-being and decrease their negative emotions, which may improve their health over the long term. In addition, participating in square dance can promote group cohesion. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between the subjective exercise experience of participating in square dance and group cohesion and whether some variables (e.g., age, education, duration, income level, and work) play a role as mediators in the association with subjective exercise experience and group cohesion.Methods: In total, 1,468 Chinese women from 31 provinces and 82 cities participated in this study by completing an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a subjective exercise experience questionnaire and a group environment questionnaire. We analyzed the collected data and built a statistical model.Results: (a) Square dance satisfied women’s physical and psychological needs partly; (b) positive well-being (PWB) was positively correlated with group cohesion, and fatigue was negatively correlated with group cohesion; and (c) the income level was a partial mediator of the relationship between group cohesion and subjective exercise experience.Conclusion: Chinese women have different motivations for participating in square dance. Because this activity can help meet women’s physical and psychological needs, an increasing number of individuals worldwide participate in square dance. As women’s subjective well-being increases, group cohesion increases, and vice versa. Moreover, the subjective exercise experience remains a significant predictor of group cohesion after including income level as a mediator, suggesting that the model indicates partial mediation.

Effect of Square Dance Interventions on Physical and Mental Health among Chinese Older Adults: A Systematic Review

“…Similar to a previous systematic review, dancing has a positive effect on the older adults' cognitive sense of adherence [57] and improves depression, loneliness, and negative emotions in older people with dementia [58]. Moreover, music, as the key factor in square dance, satisfies the older adults' psychological needs [55], and group-based music and dance have the capacity to preserve psychological well-being in aging as well as combat social isolation [59,60]. Unlike Western dancing, Chinese square dancing is similar in form to congregational dance in that it is a collective exercise with elements of popular radio gymnastics that promote social interaction among participants [61].…”

“…In addition, in China, the gender-divided labor market has led middle-aged and older women to rediscover their sense of belonging and meaning in their lives by participating in this activity [54]. Future studies should consider collecting the perceptions of older male adult participants on square dancing [55] and designing male-oriented, mixed-gender, or intergenerational square dancing programs [56].…”

Dance to Prosper: Benefits of Chinese Square Dance in QOL and the Moderating Roles of Aging Stereotypes

“…It generates enjoyable and happy feelings, and satisfies social needs, as postulated by need theory [ 12 , 13 ]. Besides, studies have proved that Chinese square dance enlarges participants’ social circle and helps them to defeat loneliness [ 14 , 15 ]. Apparently, Chinese square dance helps people to fulfil social needs, such as providing a sense of belonging, security, and self-recognition [ 14 , 16 ].…”

“…In regards to Chinese square dance, the connectedness is featured by social support [ 15 ], and perceived social support greatly affects ATOA [ 50 ]. In summary, engagement in Chinese square dance is essential to generate and maintain positive ATOA.…”

Subjective Exercise Experience and Group Cohesion among Chinese Participating in Square Dance: A Moderated Mediation Model of Years of Participation and Gender

“…Square dance is not only good for the exerciser's body, but is also good for their mental health [16]. It is mainly reflected in the moderating effect of music on square dance participants.…”