The effects of dance and movement therapy methods based on the theory of health as expanding consciousness on self-esteem, mindfulness, and depression levels of individuals diagnosed with depression

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Dance and Movement Therapy methods, based on Newman's Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness as a praxis, on self-esteem, mindfulness, and depression levels in individuals diagnosed with depression. Method: This research was conducted as a participatory action study designed within an embedded mixed-methods framework. The qualitative dimension was based on a phenomenological design grounded in a hermeneutic-dialectic approach, while the quantitative dimension involved measuring participants' levels of self-esteem, mindfulness, and depression before and after the praxis. Following the analysis of qualitative data, coding was carried out using the MAXQDA software. The data of each participant were first analyzed individually, and then content analysis was conducted across the data of eight participants to identify common patterns. Results: The praxis implemented in this study revealed that the depression experienced by the women was a life experience that affected and transformed their entire life patterns. Common life patterns among the women were identified as self-perception, interpersonal relationships, emotional states, life challenges, and processes of transformation. The praxis supported the development of awareness and insight through pattern recognition and contributed to expanding consciousness by increasing self-esteem and mindfulness levels while decreasing depression levels after the intervention compared to pre-intervention. Conclusion: The praxis implemented in this study revealed the life patterns of women diagnosed with depression and contributed to the process of expanding consciousness by fostering awareness and insight through those patterns. In this context, it is recommended that nurses working with individuals diagnosed with depression adopt this praxis in their practice and develop competencies in therapeutic communication, including empathic communication and in-depth interviewing, as well as in pattern recognition and establishing care partnerships. Key words: Action research, depression, psychiatric nursing, praxis, Newman's Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness