Relationship of Dance/Movement Therapy with Quality of Life, Emotional Regulation and Interpersonal Skills and Social Anxiety: A Comparative Study

The present research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) in promoting overall well-being within the Indian context. Employing a quasi-experimental comparative study design with a controlled and experimental group, this study specifically focused on three variables: quality of life, social anxiety and interpersonal skills, and emotional regulation. The impact of DMT on these variables was carefully examined. The measures for the study included the WHO Quality of Life Scale-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF), Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), and Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). The study included a sample size of 100 participants, with 50 individuals assigned to each group (N=100). The findings revealed significant differences between the results of the controlled and experimental groups in terms of quality of life, social anxiety and interpersonal skills, and emotional regulation. These results provide robust evidence supporting the positive impact of DMT on the three variables of interest. Consequently, all six hypotheses proposed in the study were accepted. The outcomes of this research demonstrate that DMT plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life, reducing social anxiety, improving interpersonal skills, and facilitating emotional regulation. As a result, it can be concluded that DMT is an effective and valuable therapeutic approach, contributing to overall well-being. The significance of this research extends beyond its immediate findings.