THE EFFECTS OF AEROBIC DANCING ON WOMEN'S VOCATIONAL SELF-CONCEPT
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between aerobic dancing and vocational self concept as measured by the Vocational Rating Scale (VRS). In addition, the study sought to determine whether such variables as age, education, employment, marital status and reasons for joining aerobic dancing were related to vocational self concept. A Personal Data Questionnaire (PDQ) was constructed to obtain this information. The subjects were 582 women ranging in age from 16-65 who were participating or enrolled in a twelve week session of aerobic dancing in the states of Ohio and Indiana. The experimental groups consisted of 465 subjects who had participated in two aerobic dancing classes every week for at least twelve weeks. The comparison group consisted of 117 subjects enrolled for their first aerobic dancing session. This group was retested at the end of their first twelve week session. The length of participation in aerobic dancing determined the experimental groups for the purpose of statistical analyses. The results of two-tailed tests on subjects' mean VRS scores to test for differences between the pretreatment group and the posttreatment group, and between the pretreatment group and all of the groups yielded significant differences. Analysis of variance on subjects' mean VRS scores produced significant differences based on length of participation. Newman-Keuls aposteriori tests for all pairs of mean VRS scores indicated statistically significant differences between the pretreatment group and all other groups and between brief length of participation and all other groups. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that only length of time of participation in aerobic dancing, education and age were significant and practical variables in predicting VRS scores. A stepwise regression analysis confirmed the results of the hierarchical regression. Findings of earlier studies noted the relationship between vocational maturity and education or age. The results of the present study indicated that aerobic dancing was related to increase in awareness of self and vocational choices. Self concept has been proved to be an essential variable affecting constructive vocational development. It is hoped that this study will generate further inquiry in this direction.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Academic guidance counseling
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