| Objectives: This investigation is of a quasi-experimental design. Integrating a qualitative and quantitative methodology, we examined the effects of dance therapy on the degree of emotional self-efficacy in a group of five adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 diagnosed with depressive disorder or presenting indicators associated to this disorder.;Methodological design: The methodological design responds to pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements of one sole group (no control group). Group methodology was used for the implementation of the treatment program, using the theoretical contributions of Irving Yalom as regards the methodology of group therapy. The experimentation phase consisted of sixteen dance therapy sessions, structured at a rate of two times a week, for a period of two months.;The group intervened with corresponds to participants of the SERA Program (Residential Service for Adolescents) registered under the Puerto Rico Administration of Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services (ASSMCA for its Spanish acronym), who were referred to the treatment program designed in this study.;The Self-Efficacy and Depression in Adolescents Scale (EADA for its Spanish acronym) was used, as well as the Beck II Depression Inventory (BDI-II) as measurement instruments to determine the magnitude of change after the therapeutic intervention.;In order to address the phenomenological character of the therapeutic experience and understand the subjective experience of the participants, non-structured interviews were carried out in order to explore the following aspects: personal empowerment, transformation and cure, and spiritual connection.;This study is derived from the confluence of diverse theoretical focuses and perspectives. Fundamentally, it emerges from the holistic and integral vision of the human being, which remits to the recognition of the connection between mind, body and emotion. This research work is based on the contributions of Integrative Psychology as established by Richard Erskine and the Bioenergetic Theory of Wilhelm Reich derived from Somatic Psychology.;The postulates of Art Psychology proposed by Lev Semionovich Vygotsky as well as the conception of Carl Jung as regards art and his concept of active imagination predominate as theoretical reference frameworks.;At a technical level, the contributions of Mary Starks Whitehouse and Blance Evans were integrated. The fusion of both techniques constitutes the formative basis for the program of therapeutic intervention. The technique developed by Starks is derived from Jungian psychology and has been called the Authentic Movement Therapy. Evans's technique gives special attention to the element of improvisation.;Results: In conclusion, results show that the level of emotional efficacy was increased in four of five subjects; in the subject where a decrease was detected, a one point decline was observed. As regards the levels of depressive symptomatology, it was revealed that four of five subjects showed a decrease of depressive symptoms.;The qualitative results show that a treatment in dance therapy generates a reduction of negative emotions, stress reduction, and an increase of self-confidence and spontaneity.;Conclusions: The results of this research are associated to the conclusions of Pearson, M. (2009) regarding the potential of expressive arts. This author points out that the expressive arts promote an increase of self-conscience and cognitive clarity. Additionally, we conclude that dance therapy promotes the liberation of non-resolved emotions.;As pointed out by Bandura, therapeutic intervention generates a change in the level of self-efficacy. We conclude that the treatment of dance therapy represents a medium to propel an increase in self-efficacy and a decrease of depressive symptoms. |
