Thesis
More Than Just Movement : An Embodied Exploration of Seated Dance for Older Adults Living in a Residential Care Community
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.549
Appears in Recent Southern Cross PhD Theses
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Abstract
Background
Dancing is an enjoyable activity that offers several physical, cognitive and social benefits for older adults. Extensive research has documented these outcomes, however, the embodied benefits of dance and how they emanate are less understood. Furthermore, older adults living in Residential Care Communities (RCCs) are underrepresented in dance research despite the potential of this to enhance their well-being in this setting. A thorough understanding of how people in RCC experience dance and its embodied nature could provide significant insights for enhancing holistic well-being later in life.
Aim
Guided by tenets of phenomenology and embodied cognition, this thesis aimed to investigate the embodied experiences of dance for older adults in one RCC. The inquiry sought to understand the dynamics of embodied group synchrony and explore how older adults experience and express embodied knowledge in a weekly seated dance program.
Method
This study adopted a three-phased mixed methods approach. Data was collected through active participant observation and video recordings of dance sessions, followed by qualitative semi-structured interviews with video recall. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of interview data was employed for phases one and three, while phase two employed a cross-over analysis, which involved qualitative analysis of video footage, which was then subjected to a quantitative Hierarchical Cluster Analysis.
Findings
Two major findings were discovered. Firstly, distinct forms of embodied group synchrony were identified, fostering interpersonal engagement and enactive reminiscence, supporting physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. Secondly, older adults used dance to express extant embodied knowledges, deepening their connections with space, time, and relationships through the lived body.
Conclusion
This thesis provides a novel conceptualisation of dance for older adults, demonstrating that seated dance enables embodied expression irrespective of physical or cognitive limitations. The findings indicate that embodied group synchrony can be intentionally choreographed into existing dance programs as a non-pharmacological intervention to promote physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being. Moreover, dance is shown to be a powerful medium through which older adults can enact agency within their lifeworld, expressing embodied knowledge in ways that enhance quality of life and ease the transition into living in a RCC.
Details
- Title
- More Than Just Movement : An Embodied Exploration of Seated Dance for Older Adults Living in a Residential Care Community
- Creators
- Blake Toohey
- Contributors
- Marie Hutchinson (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityGail Moloney (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- 334
- Identifiers
- 991013346439502368
- Copyright
- © Blake Toohey 2025
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Resource Type
- Thesis