Guided sel-help program towards positive body image among adolescent ballet dancers.

• Main Authors: Macapanas, Gladlyn Mae B., Pabuan, Ma. Sheilla Rose P.
• Format: Theses and Dissertations NonPeerReviewed
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: BF Psychology; MT Musical instruction and study
• Online Access: http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/114/7/MacapanasPambuan%20...%20-%20BalletDancers.pdf; http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/114/
• Institution: De La Salle University

Name of Institution: De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Address: Dasmariñas, Cavite Title: Guided Self-Help Program towards a Positive Body Image among Adolescent Ballet Dancers Author: Gladlyn Mae B. Macapanas Ma. Shiella Rose P. Pambuan Cost: Php 5,000.00 Date Started: June 2013 Date Finished: March 2014 Statement of the Problem This study focused on guided self-help program and its effect on adolescent ballerinas. The researchers sought to answer the following questions: 1. What is the level of body appreciation of the research participants before the Guided Self-Help Program? 2. What is the level of body appreciation of the research participants after the Guided Self-Help Program? 3. Is the Guided Self-Help Program an effective tool in helping the female adolescent ballet dancers improve their body appreciation? Research Design The study was carried out through a Descriptive Case Study Method. The main goal of the descriptive case study is to assess a sample in detail and in depth, based on an articulation of a descriptive theory (Ruthanne Tobin, 2010). According to Eisenhardt (1989) and Yin (2003), case study evidence does not necessarily need to originate from purely qualitative data. Evidence can just as well be based on purely quantitative data, e.g. from a questionnaire, or on a combination of qualitative and quantitative data. The researchers used range of both qualitative and quantitative measures in this study. When both quantitative and qualitative data are included in a study, researchers may enrich their results in ways that one form of data does not allow (Brewer & Hunter, 1989; Tashakkori & Teddlie, 1998). Research Sampling In this research, purposive sampling was used to address specific purposes related to research questions. According to Merriam (1998), purposive sampling emphasizes on a criterion based selection of information rich cases from which a researcher can discover, understand and gain more insight on issues crucial for the study. In this research the criterion that was met by the participants are being adolescent ballet dancers. Research Instrument The researchers used three significant instruments in this research that have solely helped them gather data from the participants. 1. Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) 2. Guided Self-Help Program tool (Self-help Worksheets) 3. Interview Data Analysis 1. The results from Body Appreciation Scale were used to assess the participant‘s Body Appreciation Level. 2. The Guided Self-Help Program has its self-help worksheets. These worksheets provided data that allowed the researchers to monitor the progress of each participant throughout this program. It served as a tool in improving one‘s body image. 3. The data gathered from the BAS after the Guided Self-Help Program were used as a basis to determine the effectiveness of the program in each participant towards positive body image. 4. The post-interview assessed and concluded the program on participants‘ personal aspect. 5. The data gathered from the self-help worksheets and post-interview supported the results of their BAS. This gave further evidence on the effectiveness of the program. It was necessary to integrate all the data to give greater validation of the research results. Summary of Findings The salient findings of the research are as follows: Statement of the Problem 1. What is the body appreciation level of each participant before the Guided Self-Help Program? Before the Guided Self-Help Program, 2 out of 7 have been reported with an Average Appreciation, 4 participants have High Appreciation, and 1 has a Very High Appreciation. This was further supported and explained through the participants‘ case history. Statement of the Problem 2. What is the body appreciation level of each participant after the Guided Self-Help Program? After the Guided Self-help Program, 6 out of 7 have a Very High Appreciation while 1 has a High Appreciation. 5 participants increased their body appreciation after the program while 2 retained their body appreciation. This was strengthened by the participants‘ responses on their Session 3 worksheets and post-interview. Statement of the Problem 3. Is the Guided Self-help Program an effective tool in helping the female adolescent ballet dancers improve their body appreciation? The participants showed improvements in terms of having positive body image after the program. 3 out of the 7 participants hold favorable opinions about their body. All the participants accept their bodies in spite of their weight, body shape, and imperfections. 6 out of the 7 ballet dancers respect their bodies by attending to their body‘s needs and engage in healthy behaviors. Lastly, 1 of the 7 participants showed protecting her body image by rejecting unrealistic images of the thin-ideal prototype portrayed in the media. Conclusions Based on the research findings, the following are the conclusions drawn: 1. The researchers conclude that the participants showed improvements after the program in terms of having positive body image and guided self-help program as these could be effective tools to build and maintain a positive body image among adolescent ballet dancers. 2. Most of the research participants have weight/body shape preoccupations which sometimes cause their negative thinking and regressing their body image. 3. Most of the research participants have an unfair to compare distortion which means they are not satisfied with their bodies thus having a tendency to compare it with others. Recommendations Based on the research findings and conclusions, the following are the recommendations suggested: Ballet Dancers. The researchers recommend for ballet dancers to engage into programs that will enhance their body image. It is also recommended to focus on improving one‘s weight preoccupations. Ballet Dancer’s Parents/Guardians. The researchers recommend the ballet dancers‘ parents to be more supportive in terms of helping their child improve their body image and actively engaging them to being fit and healthy. Future Researchers. The researchers recommend to future researchers to conduct the study longitudinally to monitor the progress of the participants for a longer period of time. It is also recommended to conduct more studies related to body image among ballet dancers since there hasn‘t been previous studies conducted related to it. The researchers recommend conducting the researchers in a ballet company to have larger number of participants.