The impact of a dance movement therapy program applying dialectical behaviour therapy techniques on improving the self-esteem of school maladjusted adolescents

This study was conducted to examine qualitative changes in self-esteem and movement of research participants by providing a dance movement program applying dialectical behavior therapy techniques to school maladjusted adolescents. 12 first-year middle school students from Suwon were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 6 students in each group. A short-term program was implemented twice a week for a total of 8 sessions. The program of this study applies the common factor of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which use a body-based therapeutic approach. The research question analyzed self-esteem and its subfactors, and a movement observation analysis was conducted accordingly to examine qualitative changes in the movements of the experimental group. As a result of the study, first, the dance movement therapy program applying dialectical behavior therapy techniques had a positive effect on improving the self-esteem of School maladjusted adolescents. Second, changes in movement showed improved social skills. This study has confirmed that a positive impact on the self-esteem of School-maladjusted adolescents, and it is hoped that future research will be encouraged using different treatment methods.