A study in body image: Approaches to understanding, dissatisfaction, and the role of dance teachers

Recent findings suggest a strong link between elite dance training, body image dissatisfaction, and the development of eating disorders. In the aims to determine how the link is established, and what kind of solutions may work best to increase body image satisfaction, my thesis research focused on various kinds of movement/creativity exercises for university dance majors. I evaluated body image satisfaction levels among 10 undergraduate dance majors, and studied whether or not the implementation of body-image focused exercises into a dance technique course yielded any effect on dancers' body image satisfaction. I gathered a control group, and a participant group, consisting of UCI male/female dance majors enrolled in a four year program. Only the participant group members participated in my 6-week body image intervention course.;A 6-week intervention study targeted body image satisfaction through a variety of dance movement therapy-inspired techniques such as mental re-patterning, and partner exercises - all working to alleviate eating disorder symptoms.;Two surveys were given to each group member at the beginning and end of the study: The sf-36 and the Body-Cathexis Scale. The experimental group completed two anonymous feedback questionnaires that focused on obtaining information about their experiences in the 6-week intervention program. The results reflected an overall increase in body image satisfaction for both groups. Feedback from the participant questionnaires yielded further insight into the selected dancers' perception of body image in dance. All appendix materials can be found in the supplemental files of this electronic document.