Enhancing Mental Skills for Freelance Dance Artists: A Qualitative Study Protocol

Freelance dance artists face a range of challenges that might negatively impact their mental well-being. To address these issues, research indicates that mental skills training (MST) could be beneficial for freelance dance artists, but no recognised manualised programme currently exists for this group. Prior to developing a MST programme, more knowledge is required on freelance artists’ use of mental skills. This protocol outlines a qualitative interview study to investigate: a) what mental techniques, skills and qualities freelance dance artists perceive to be beneficial in negotiating challenges and enhancing their wellbeing; b) gain insight into mechanisms underpinning the process of MST; and c) determine crucial characteristics (e.g., duration, teaching techniques) essential to a feasible and meaningful MST programme for freelance dance artists. Embedded in a person-based approach (PBA) to intervention development and underpinned by a pragmatic stance, the study will employ snowball sampling to recruit 8 freelance dance artists and 8 psychologically informed practitioners for semi-structured interviews. Data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication in a scientific journal.