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The effects of self-administered attributional retraining for dancers: A pilot study

Ashley Van Egeren1* ,  Imogen J. Aujla2 ,  Gregory Youdan Jr.3 ,  Forrest Scogin4
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1 Independent researcher, New York City, New York, United States of America
2 Dance in Mind, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
3 Dance Division, The Juilliard School, New York City, New York, United States of America
4 Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States of America
AC, 025420084 https://doi.org/10.36922/AC025420084
Received: 15 October 2025 | Revised: 6 January 2026 | Accepted: 2 February 2026 | Published online: 17 March 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Intervention studies in sport indicate that attributional training can enhance performance, expectations for future success, resilience, and optimism. However, no such studies have examined its effects in dance. This study investigates the effects of a self-administered attributional training program for dancers. A total of 32 university-level dancers participated in the study and were randomly assigned to an immediate training group (ITG; n = 16) or a delayed training group (DTG; n = 16). Participants completed a battery of tests pre- and post-intervention, including the Sport Attributional Style Scale–Short Form, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Consistency in Dance Performance Scale. The intervention was delivered via cognitive-behavioral bibliotherapy using a 19-day training manual. The manual aimed to help dancers develop more functional attributions and more optimistic thoughts regarding their dancing and self-perception. The ITG received the manual and was given one month to complete it, whereas the DTG was informed they would receive the manual after one month. Once each group had completed the manual, the same battery of tests was administered. Statistical analyses indicated a trend toward more functional attributions post-intervention, although this did not reach statistical significance. Post-intervention, the ITG reported significantly greater positive affect, and the DTG reported significantly lower negative affect. The ITG group also demonstrated significantly greater consistency in dance performance following the intervention. Participant feedback suggested that the manual was largely helpful, although modifications were recommended. Overall, bibliotherapy shows promise as an intervention for dancers, improving affective responses and aspects of wellbeing. Future research should replicate this study with a larger sample of dancers.

Keywords
Attributional retraining
Dancers
Psychological wellbeing
Intervention
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
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