Author(s): Xiao-Qi Ling, Sung-Yi Hsieh, Chiao Chao, Ruei-Yuan Wang

Abstract: This research aims to explore the effectiveness of a Chinese classical dance therapy group on college students’ self-awareness and emotion regulation. A pretest and quasi-experimental design was used for this study, with 172 college students in China as the research object. The experimental group underwent Chinese classical dance therapy twice every week, three hours every time, until eighteen hours later; meanwhile, the control group did not handle or train. Members of the two groups were tested before and after the "Introspection Scale", "Body Awareness Scale" and "Emotional Regulation Scale", and statistical tests were performed by single-factor covariate analysis (ANOVA) to evaluate the effectiveness of experimental processing. The study found the following: 1. College students participating in the study of Chinese classical dance therapy groups are generally satisfied with or agree with the content of the Chinese classical dance therapy group scheme designed in this study. 2. The Chinese classical dance therapy group can enhance the daily life awareness of college students. 3. The Chinese classical dance therapy group can improve the overall physical awareness, physical use, muscle tension, and physical control of university students. 4. The Chinese classical dance therapy group can increase the awareness of college students that breathing can help relax the body. 5. The Chinese classical dance therapy group can improve the overall emotional regulation and emotional reflection of college students. 6. The Chinese classical dance therapy group can improve college students' emotion adjustment strategies and has a tracking effect on emotional awareness and emotional efficacy. The research results can provide references and suggestions for psychological counseling practitioners and future research.

Keywords: Chinese classical dance, Dance therapy, Group consultation, Self-awareness, Emotional regulation.

Article Info: Received: 26 Aug 2023; Received in revised form: 01 Oct 2023; Accepted: 09 Oct 2023; Available online: 16 Oct 2023

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.85.22