Move and Be Moved: The Effect of Moving Specific Movement Elements on the Experience of Happiness

Frontiers in Psychology

Jenneke van Geest¹  Susan van Hooren²  Rosemarie Samaritter³ 

[1] Faculty of Health Care, Academy of Arts Therapies, Zuyd University of Applied Science, Heerlen, Netherlands;Faculty of Health Care, Academy of Arts Therapies, Zuyd University of Applied Science, Heerlen, Netherlands;KenVaK Research Centre for the Arts Therapies and Psychomotricity, Heerlen, Netherlands;Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, Netherlands;KenVaK Research Centre for the Arts Therapies and Psychomotricity, Heerlen, Netherlands;Department of Arts Therapies, Codarts University of the Arts, Rotterdam, Netherlands;

关键词: dance movement therapy;    emotion;    body feedback;    interaffectivity;    embodiment;    positive affect;    Laban Movement Analysis;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579518

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Dynamic body feedback is used in dance movement therapy (DMT), with the aim to facilitate emotional expression and a change of emotional state through movement and dance for individuals with psychosocial or psychiatric complaints. It has been demonstrated that moving in a specific way can evoke and regulate related emotions. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of executing a unique set of kinetic movement elements on an individual mover’s experience of happiness. A specific sequence consisting of movement elements that recent studies have related to the feeling of happiness was created and used in a series of conditions. To achieve a more realistic reflection of DMT practice, the study incorporated the interpersonal dimension between the dance movement therapist (DMTh) and the client, and the impact of this interbodily feedback on the emotional state of the client. This quantitative study was conducted in a within-subject design. Five male and 20 female participants (mean age = 20.72) participated in three conditions: a solo executed movement sequence, a movement sequence executed with a DMTh who attuned and mirrored the movements, and a solo executed movement sequence not associated with feelings of happiness. Participants were only informed about the movements and not the feelings that may be provoked by these movements. The effects on individuals were measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and visual analog scales. Results showed that a specific movement sequence based on movement elements associated with happiness executed with a DMTh can significantly enhance the corresponding affective state. An additional finding of this study indicated that facilitating expressed emotion through movement elements that are not associated with happiness can enhance feelings such as empowerment, pride, and determination, which are experienced as part of positive affect. The results show the impact of specific full-body movement elements on the emotional state and the support outcome of DMT on emotion regulation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY