We are thrilled to share an exciting new research initiative from the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with Raising the Barre and Tiffany’s Dance Academy. Our pioneering study, "Mood Changes in Dance Classes for Children and Adolescents," aims to quantify the emotional benefits of regular dance practice in alleviating anxiety and depression among adolescent females.
Why This Matters:
Led by Tiffany Henderson, owner of Tiffany’s Dance Academy and lead investigator at UPenn, this longitudinal study will track dancers' mood states over several years using the PANAS-C (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Child Form) and a custom-designed mood-tracking app. Inspired by the research of psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the study seeks to explore how dance can serve as a powerful intervention in an era where adolescent mental health is at risk.
Study Highlights:
- Regular mood assessments using PANAS-C
- Real-time tracking before and after dance classes
- Long-term follow-up to evaluate the impact of dance on mental well-being
“We’re not just teaching dance; we’re potentially offering a lifeline to adolescents struggling with mental health issues,” says Henderson. “This study could validate what many in the dance community have long suspected – that dance has the power to transform lives.”
Enrollment Now Open!
We are currently enrolling participants from Tiffany’s Dance Academy, with plans to expand to additional studios in the future. Findings from this research could reshape the way we approach dance education and youth mental health interventions.
Join us for more information on the study and how you can use positive psychology to enhance your dancer well-being: https://bit.ly/40D1uEz
📖 Learn more: https://www.raisingthebarredance.org/upenn-mood-study
For inquiries, please contact:
Tiffany Henderson
Lead Investigator, UPenn
📩 mood@raisingthebarredance.org