Article Title

Author Full Name; Jasleen Kaur; Rupali Rawat

doi:10.63960/sp.2026.xxxx

Authors

Jasleen Kaur Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, Bahadurgarh, Haryana, India. Author
Rupali Rawat Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, Bahadurgarh, Haryana, India Author

https://doi.org/10.63960/SIJMDS-2025-2367

Keywords:

Self-Efficacy, Resilience, Indian Classical Dancers, Non-Dancers, Challenges, Emotional Development

Abstract

Since the time human beings have evolved, dance has remained an integral part in the lives of people of different cultures as it serves a medium for self-expression, transference of cultural knowledge and psycho-social development. From a historical standpoint, Indian Classical dance forms have been serving this purpose since centuries which largely remains undocumented. In this regard, the current study explores how participating in Indian classical dance may influence two important psychological traits: self-efficacy and resilience. Self-efficacy refers to a person’s confidence in their ability to succeed in specific tasks, while resilience is the ability to recover from difficulties and adapt to challenges. The study employed a cross-sectional research design using a purposive sampling method, comprising 133 participants in total 64 trained classical dancers and 69 individuals without formal dance training. Standardized questionnaires were administered to measure both self-efficacy and resilience, and the data were analyzed through an independent samples t-test. Findings indicated that classical dancers reported significantly higher self-efficacy scores (M = 32.57) compared to non-dancers (M = 29.07), suggesting that engagement in classical dance may strengthen individuals’ confidence in their abilities. In contrast, no statistically significant difference emerged between the two groups in terms of resilience, with mean scores of 46.13 for dancers and 43.04 for non-dancers. However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of resilience for classical dancers (M=46.13) and non-dancers (M= 43.04). These findings suggest that Indian classical dance could be a valuable tool for improving self-belief and confidence. The study also highlights the potential for incorporating elements of classical dance into Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) to support emotional and psychological development.

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Author Biographies

Jasleen Kaur, Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, Bahadurgarh, Haryana, India.

Jasleen Kaur is a psychology scholar and researcher affiliated with Jagan Nath University, Bahadurgarh, Haryana. Her academic focus centers on behavioral psychology, mental health, and psycho-social development. She actively explores the intersection of traditional cultural arts and mental well-being, notably co-authoring empirical research on self-efficacy, emotional development, and resilience factors among performing artists.

Competing Interests:
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Rupali Rawat, Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, Bahadurgarh, Haryana, India

Rupali Rawat is an Assistant Professor affiliated with Jagan Nath University, Bahadurgarh, Haryana. Specializing in behavioral studies, psychology, and social work framework optimization, her research explores human behavior, cognitive traits, and mental health interventions. She has actively co-authored studies assessing how structured cultural practices affect psychological metrics like resilience and personal growth.

Competing Interests:
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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Self-Efficacy and Resilience Among Indian Classical Dancers and Non-Dancers: A Comparative Study

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