SWORD - South West Open Research Deposit - International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness: Beliefs and Experiences of Latina Mothers of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities toward Dance as Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study
 

Start Date

17-6-2025 12:30 PM

End Date

17-6-2025 2:00 PM

Abstract

Introduction

Regular physical activity, including dance, is known to improve overall health and well-being, particularly for caregivers of individuals with disabilities (Champagne, 2024; Piercy et al., 2018). However, mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities often face challenges incorporating structured dance into their routines. This study aimed to explore Latina mothers' beliefs and experiences with dance, barriers and facilitators to dance participation, and their preferences for dance to help develop culturally tailored interventions.

Methodology

Situated within the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991), this descriptive-qualitative study recruited Latina mothers (N = 12) of individuals with Developmental Disabilities through disability advocacy groups. Data collection comprised one-on-one interviews conducted in Spanish. Subsequently, the interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic line-by-line analysis with the support of NVivo 20 software (Vaismoradi et al., 2013).

Results

The findings suggested a general enthusiasm among Latina mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities for dance as a physical activity practice. However, participants face various barriers that limit their physical activity and dance participation including limited time, lack of programs tailored to their needs, and a lack of support. Proposed solutions to enhance their physical activity and dance participation included developing and implementing dance programs with childcare services in their community.

Conclusions

Despite the participant's positive attitudes towards dance as a form of physical activity and acknowledging the benefits of such practice, they highlighted the presence of persistent barriers to dance participation. These findings offer insights for practitioners and researchers into the development and implementation of future dance interventions that promote health and well-being through dance as an enjoyable form of physical activity engagement.

References

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Champagne E. R. (2024). Caregiver Resilience and Dance/Movement Therapy: A Theoretical Review and Conceptual Model. Journal of applied gerontology: the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society, 43(3), 319–327. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648231210679

Piercy, K. L., Troiano, R. P., Ballard, R. M., Carlson, S. A., Fulton, J. E., Galuska, D. A., George, S. M., & Olson, R. D. (2018). The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. JAMA, 320(19), 2020–2028. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.14854

Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H., & Bondas, T. (2013). Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & health sciences, 15(3),398–405. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12048

Share

COinS
 
Jun 17th, 12:30 PM Jun 17th, 2:00 PM

Beliefs and Experiences of Latina Mothers of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities toward Dance as Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study

Introduction

Regular physical activity, including dance, is known to improve overall health and well-being, particularly for caregivers of individuals with disabilities (Champagne, 2024; Piercy et al., 2018). However, mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities often face challenges incorporating structured dance into their routines. This study aimed to explore Latina mothers' beliefs and experiences with dance, barriers and facilitators to dance participation, and their preferences for dance to help develop culturally tailored interventions.

Methodology

Situated within the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991), this descriptive-qualitative study recruited Latina mothers (N = 12) of individuals with Developmental Disabilities through disability advocacy groups. Data collection comprised one-on-one interviews conducted in Spanish. Subsequently, the interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic line-by-line analysis with the support of NVivo 20 software (Vaismoradi et al., 2013).

Results

The findings suggested a general enthusiasm among Latina mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities for dance as a physical activity practice. However, participants face various barriers that limit their physical activity and dance participation including limited time, lack of programs tailored to their needs, and a lack of support. Proposed solutions to enhance their physical activity and dance participation included developing and implementing dance programs with childcare services in their community.

Conclusions

Despite the participant's positive attitudes towards dance as a form of physical activity and acknowledging the benefits of such practice, they highlighted the presence of persistent barriers to dance participation. These findings offer insights for practitioners and researchers into the development and implementation of future dance interventions that promote health and well-being through dance as an enjoyable form of physical activity engagement.

References

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Champagne E. R. (2024). Caregiver Resilience and Dance/Movement Therapy: A Theoretical Review and Conceptual Model. Journal of applied gerontology: the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society, 43(3), 319–327. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648231210679

Piercy, K. L., Troiano, R. P., Ballard, R. M., Carlson, S. A., Fulton, J. E., Galuska, D. A., George, S. M., & Olson, R. D. (2018). The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. JAMA, 320(19), 2020–2028. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.14854

Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H., & Bondas, T. (2013). Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & health sciences, 15(3),398–405. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12048