Regena G Stevens-Ratchford1. 1. Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA Rstevens-ratchford@towson.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explored ballroom dance as serious leisure and successful aging in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Qualitative procedures were used to explore stories of ballroom dance and successful aging. RESULTS: Participants described positive successful aging and active leisure engagement. Three themes emerged from thematic analyses: (a) Ballroom Dance as Serious Leisure: Its Dimensions; (b) Ballroom Dance: Its Link to Successful Aging; (c) The Affinity: We Love to Dance!. CONCLUSION: The participants' ballroom dance revealed serious leisure characteristics in conjunction with their successful aging. They loved to dance, self-identified as ballroom dancers, and orchestrated their dance activities within its social world. Future research should examine the relation of successful aging to the social world of ballroom dance.
OBJECTIVE: This study explored ballroom dance as serious leisure and successful aging in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Qualitative procedures were used to explore stories of ballroom dance and successful aging. RESULTS:Participants described positive successful aging and active leisure engagement. Three themes emerged from thematic analyses: (a) Ballroom Dance as Serious Leisure: Its Dimensions; (b) Ballroom Dance: Its Link to Successful Aging; (c) The Affinity: We Love to Dance!. CONCLUSION: The participants' ballroom dance revealed serious leisure characteristics in conjunction with their successful aging. They loved to dance, self-identified as ballroom dancers, and orchestrated their dance activities within its social world. Future research should examine the relation of successful aging to the social world of ballroom dance.
Authors: Elena Dragioti; Björn Gerdle; Lars-Åke Levin; Lars Bernfort; Huan-Ji Dong Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-10 Impact factor: 3.390