Devenish, Bernadette (2014) Exploring the Lived Experiences of a Group of Older People Involved in Social Dancing. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Older persons represent an increasing proportion of Australia’s population; however, insufficient exercise and inadequate nutrition is predicted to result in prohibitively expensive and preventable chronic physical and mental health problems in the future. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, and increasing social isolation threaten longevity, and positive healthy and independent ageing experiences. Social dancing facilitates physical activity and social connectedness which when combined, has been found to improve cardiovascular functioning, balance, motivation, pain management, and overall health and wellbeing. This study applies the continuity theory and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) in order to enhance our understanding of how people adjust to their own ageing, and to explain the connection between positive healthy ageing processes and social dancing. A convenience sample of seven Australians, three women and four men, aged 69 to 81 years who regularly engage in social dancing took part in this qualitative study. Social dancing was found to provide a valued, accessible, affordable, sustainable and enjoyable past-time which gave these participants reliable, beneficial and pleasant social engagement in the company of likeminded people. Multiple physical and mental health benefits, as well as improved social connectedness were chronicled as a result of these participants regular engagement in social dancing activities. Five main themes emerged from the participants about their social dancing experiences in this study which included: 1. How each participant came to social dancing; 2. The benefits of social dancing – physical, mental, and social; 3. Emotions and feelings associated with social dancing; 4. Barriers to social dancing; 5. The future of social dancing. This study provides more information about potential interventions and programs that are possible utilising the physical, mental, and social benefits of social dancing which may assist individuals struggling with preventable chronic disease, disability, and social isolation. Assisted with a better understanding of the physical, mental, and social contribution that social dancing has to offer, particularly for older adults, this research has the potential to help us to identify and overcome some of the most critical health and social challenges of our time.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology, Counselling and Community (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2014) |
| Supervisors: | Jan duPreez |
| Qualification: | Master of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Sep 2025 06:40 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Sep 2025 06:40 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52265 |
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