ERIC Number: EJ1400023
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1529-0824
EISSN: EISSN-2158-074X
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Dance Freelancers in the United Kingdom
Journal of Dance Education, v23 n3 p190-199 2023
This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dance freelancers' mental health and wellbeing using a cross-sectional exploratory qualitative methodology. Findings from semi-structured interviews with six dance freelancers indicated the pandemic posed challenges to the mental health of dance freelancers, amplified preexisting inequalities, and required constant re-adaptation to ever-changing norms. Nonetheless, COVID-19 also paused hectic schedules allowing for rest, social connection, and skill development. From these findings, recommendations to enhance dance freelancers' mental health and wellbeing include: 1) addressing the preexisting inequitable nature of the freelance dance sector to create a fair working environment, 2) re-establishing trust and communication between dance freelancers and those in positions of power to ensure guidance and support are applicable and accessible, 3) increasing opportunities for social connectedness to maximize the resulting protective value on mental health, and 4) adopting a dance-informed view of mental health within the field of dance to provide more comprehensive support.
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, Dance, Mental Health, Well Being, Barriers, Adjustment (to Environment), Work Environment, Foreign Countries, Interpersonal Relationship, Skill Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A