Mental Well-being and Sleep Hygiene in Undergraduate Dance Students during the Coronavirus Pandemic: An Exploratory Analysis

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus caused a global pandemic with negative implications on stress and a significant impact on dance education. The aim of this study was to investigate mental well-being and sleep hygiene in undergraduate dance students during this global pandemic. Fourteen undergraduate dance students completed the DASS-21, PSQI, and questions relating to motivation to participate in online and in-studio classes in week 2 and week 26 of the 2020–2021 academic year. Although no significant differences were found between these time points for depression, anxiety, stress, or sleep quality, levels of anxiety and stress were classified as severe and extremely severe consistently. Sleep quality, efficiency, and duration were good; however, sleep timings may impact mental well-being. It is recommended that due to chronic levels of stress amongst dancers, which may have also been accentuated by the global pandemic, that mindfulness, somatic practice, and aerobic fitness training be incorporated into dance programs.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• coronavirus
• mental health
• sleep
• dance
• dance student
• well-being

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.