ABSTRACT

Experiences, perceptions, and definitions of health and wellbeing (H&W) were explored among 10 dance students (six women, four men; mean age = 21 years ±1.26) in higher education (HE). A qualitative case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews, including questions on lifestyle, health provision, and environment. Inductive thematic analysis revealed that dancers defined H&W as holistic, hedonic, and individual experiences with wide influential determinants. Transition into HE was the biggest challenge experienced, followed by psychological challenges including impact of injury, academic pressures, and negative body image. Additional challenges included scheduling overload, accessing dance-specific health care and peer pressure. Nevertheless, many dance students engaged with health-promoting behaviours. Self-agency and self-responsibility in being healthy was addressed, as well as developing resilience during HE and the importance of everyday self-care both at physical and psychological levels. Perceived enabling factors to health included the availability of institutional provision, staff as trusted mentors, and a supporting network from family and friends. Barriers included the impact of exhaustion, cost of care and lack of self-belief. The findings provide new and useful insights into the role of HE institutions in providing effective health education and provision, as well as supporting dancers in developing and sustaining a healthy career.

摘要

在高等教育 (HE) 的 10 名舞蹈学生（6 名女性，4 名男性；平均年龄 = 21 岁 ±1.26）中探讨了健康和福祉 (H&W) 的经历、看法和定义。使用半结构化访谈进行了定性案例研究，包括有关生活方式、健康提供和环境的问题。归纳主题分析表明，舞者将 H&W 定义为具有广泛影响因素的整体、享乐和个人体验。过渡到 HE 是经历过的最大挑战，其次是心理挑战，包括受伤的影响、学业压力和负面的身体形象。其他挑战包括日程安排超负荷、获得针对舞蹈的医疗保健和同伴压力。然而，许多舞蹈学生参与了促进健康的行为。讨论了保持健康的自我能动性和自我责任感，以及在 HE 期间培养适应力以及日常自我保健在身体和心理层面的重要性。认为对健康有利的因素包括机构提供的可用性、工作人员作为值得信赖的导师，以及来自家人和朋友的支持网络。障碍包括疲惫的影响、护理成本和缺乏自信。这些发现为高等教育机构在提供有效的健康教育和提供以及支持舞者发展和维持健康职业方面的作用提供了新的有用见解。认为对健康有利的因素包括机构提供的可用性、工作人员作为值得信赖的导师，以及来自家人和朋友的支持网络。障碍包括疲惫的影响、护理成本和缺乏自信。这些发现为高等教育机构在提供有效的健康教育和提供以及支持舞者发展和维持健康职业方面的作用提供了新的有用见解。认为对健康有利的因素包括机构提供的可用性、工作人员作为值得信赖的导师，以及来自家人和朋友的支持网络。障碍包括疲惫的影响、护理成本和缺乏自信。这些发现为高等教育机构在提供有效的健康教育和提供以及支持舞者发展和维持健康职业方面的作用提供了新的有用见解。