Shall We Dance? Recreational Dance, Well-Being and Productivity Performance During COVID-19: A Three-Country Study

Mental health issues are increasingly prevalent worldwide, emphasizing the need to research antecedents and consequences of well-being. Prior research shows that within organizations, higher levels of subjective well-being (SWB) promote productivity performance. Building on this research, the authors hypothesize that recreational dance positively influences productivity through higher SWB. Survey data from Brazil, Italy, and the United Kingdom reveal that recreational dancers are more productive than nondancers due to their higher intrinsic motivation and SWB. Dancing has an additional direct effect on productivity, beyond the mediating role of SWB. The results indicate well-being and productivity improvements in all three countries, although they show a moderating effect such that the relationship between recreational dance and SWB is stronger when social norms are perceived to be looser. This study indicates potentially far-reaching benefits that could be achieved by including recreational dance in corporate well-being programs. International dance organizations could market dance classes as a pathway to increase productivity at work and explore synergies with public health marketing to promote the benefits of recreational dance in joint international campaigns.


WEB APPENDIX A
Exploration of the benefits of circle dance as a human occupation.
Circle dance performed regularly (no information about frequency). 39 participants of the age of 18, already practicing the dance.
Dance provides a sense of fulfilment and contributes to well-being and flow. It builds a sense of community.

Colcombe and
Kramer (2003) Meta-analysis. Examining the hypothesis that aerobic fitness enhances the cognitive vitality of healthy but sedentary older adults. Both tango and mindfulness groups show greater decrease in levels of depression and stress compared to the control group. Tango dancers reported significantly lower levels of depression compared to mindfulness group. Improved anxiety and life satisfaction larger for tango group (although effect not statistically significant). (2001) Review of the potential mechanisms by which physical activity improve brain function.

Ratey and Loher
Aerobic fitness. 75 studies. Physical activity benefits brain function and executive cognitive processes (increase neuroelectric activity, brain volume, attention, learning and memory) and has a lasting impact on cognition. Physical exercise reduces the odds of developing dementia.
Rehfeld et al.
Meta/analysis/systematic review. Investigate the benefits of exercise compared to usual treatment or control conditions in people with an anxiety and/or stress-related disorders.
6 studies met the inclusion criteria from a pool of 62 full texts. Across the 6 studies 262 adults with anxiety/stress disorder were included.
Exercise is an important treatment option for those with anxiety/stress disorders.

Teixeira-Machado and
Coutinho (2018) Systematic review of the evidence on how dance can alter brain volumes and structure, brain function psychomotor adjustment and levels of neurotrophic factors. 19 studies.
Interventions to promote physical activity among older adults are generally effective but there is uncertainty around the most beneficial intervention components. .713 Productivity (presenteeism) (answers 1 -5, 1 = all the times, 5 = none of the times). In the past week: How often did you do no work at times when you were supposed to be working?

WEB APPENDIX B
.505 How often did you find yourself not working as carefully as you should?
.653 How often was the quality of your work lower than it should have been? Dropped How often did you not concentrate enough on your work?
.831 How often did health problems limit the kind or amount of work you could do? .686 Intrinsic motivation (answers 1 -7, 1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree). I exercise/dance: Because I want to be physically fit.
.615 Because it is fun.
.891 Because I like engaging in activities which physically challenge me.
.833 Because I want to obtain new skills.
.871 Because I want to improve existing skills.
.871 Because I like the challenge.
.758 Because it makes me happy.
.911 Because I want to have more energy.
Not used Because I want to improve my appearance.
Not used Because I think it's interesting.
.878 Because I want to meet new people.
Not used Because I want to maintain my physical health and well-being.
Not used Because I want to improve my body shape.
Not used Because my friends want me to.
Not used Because I enjoy spending time with others doing this activity.
Not used Perception of tight/loose social norms (answers 1 -7, 1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree) In my country, there are very clear expectations for how people should act in most situations. .639 There are many social norms that people are supposed to abide by in my country. .737 People agree upon what behaviors are appropriate versus inappropriate in most situations in my country. .816 People in my country have a great deal of freedom in deciding how they want to behave in most situations (7) Dropped In my country, if someone acts in an inappropriate way, others will strongly disapprove.

Dropped
People in my country almost always comply with social norms. .644