Examination of the relationship between body appreciation and self-confidence with mental well being in Latin dances as a recreational activity

This research aims to investigate the relationship between engaging in Latin dance as a recreational activity and body appreciation, self-confidence, and mental well-being. The sample group of the study consists of a total of 183 individuals, including 89 females and 94 males aged between 14 and 50 the average age 25,06±6.93 who engage in recreational Latin dance activities. Quantitative research methods were employed in this study. Participants engaged in Latin dances completed a personal information form containing demographic questions, the Turkish adaptation of the 'Body Appreciation Scale' developed by Tylka and Wood-Barcalow (2015), the 'Self-Confidence Scale' developed by Akın (2007) based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory, and the 'Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (Short Form)' developed by Demirtaş & Baytemir (2019). Statistical data analysis was conducted using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software program. Descriptive statistics, skewness – kurtosis, reliability and validity, ANOVA and stepwise regression analysis methods were used to analyze the data. According to the findings of the study's analysis, it was concluded that engaging in Latin dances has an impact on body appreciation and self-confidence, which in turn affect mental well-being. Additionally it is anticipated that this study, which also examines the effects of demographic variables, will contribute to the literature and shed light on future research endeavors.