The Dynamic Interface Between Neuromaturation, Risky Behavior, Creative Dance Movement, and Youth Development Programming

A quasi-experimental study was undertaken to determine whether length of participation in an inner city youth dance program helped young people avoid risky behavior and acquire competence in essential life skills. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (Piers-Harris 2), a widely used measure of psychological health, was administered to participants (n = 17) for 3 consecutive years. Of six Piers-Harris 2 subscales, only results on the Physical Appearance and Attributes subscale (corresponding to the program's youth development goal of positive self-image) indicated a statistically significant difference, with third-year participants scoring higher than first- and second-year participants. Study participants were also given a program feedback survey on which the majority of participants characterized dance program teaching artists as positive role models, found programming to be very useful, and reported gains in essential life skills.