How community dance leads to positive outcomes: a self-determination theory perspective

Little is known about how community dance influences well-being. Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT), this study examined the relationship between dancers' perceptions of the motivational climate, basic need satisfaction (competence, autonomy and relatedness) and motivation-related variables (intrinsic motivation, enjoyment and perceived effort) in community dance. A total of 84 dancers (mean age=44.28 years, SD=20.04) regularly attending community dance groups in any style, completed a questionnaire addressing the targeted variables. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses supported a model in which dancers' perceptions of a task climate positively predicted autonomy and relatedness satisfaction. In addition, a model in which dancers' intrinsic motivation, enjoyment and perceived effort were predicted by their perceptions of the motivational climate and need satisfaction was partially supported. This study provides preliminary evidence as to the applicability of SDT to community dance and indicates the importance of promoting task-involving climates in order to foster positive experiences from community dance participation.