Dance to Prosper: Benefits of Chinese Square Dance in QOL and the Moderating Roles of Aging Stereotypes

Abstract

By examining the effect of Chinese square dance duration through a positive activity model and discussing the impact of aging stereotype internalization, this study examined the relationships between dance duration, attitudes toward own aging (ATOA), aging stereotypes, and quality of life. 403 Chinese square dance participants were recruited to complete a 7-day diary survey in a cross-sectional design. Participants reported on their ATOA, aging stereotypes, perceived quality of life, and everyday dance participation during the week. Data were analyzed using latent variable structural equation modeling. Increased dance participation improved quality of life, and the mediation by ATOA was determined. Positive and negative aging stereotypes separately moderated the mediating process. In general, people who had relatively stronger negative stereotypes benefited more from dancing duration, while people with stronger positive stereotypes felt no such dose effect. The results suggest that an attitudinal pathway explains the positive activity dose effect, and people with more negative aging stereotypes are encouraged to practice Chinese square dance to benefit from certain effects.