Relationships between basic psychological needs and psychological well-being in recreational dance activities.

IntroductionThe modern way of living, with its exhaustingly fast pace and its increasing demands, has made participating in exercise and recreational activities indispensible (Hogan, Mata & Carstensen, 2013; Netz, Wu, Becker & Tenenbaum, 2005). Nowadays, it is widely accepted that leading an active life is an important element for the physical and psychological health (Matsouka, Harahousou, Kabitsis & Trigonis, 2003; Matsouka, Kabitsis, Harahousou & Trigonis 2003a, 2003b). In addition, participating in physical activity programs can delay chronic health problems (Katsavouni, Bebetsos, Antoniou, Malliou, & Beneka, 2014; Hogan, 2005; American College of Sports Medicine, 1998) and prolong the life of the participants, by improving their quality of living and their health (Matsouka, Bebetsos, Trigonis & Simakis, 2010). Dance is directly connected to the society and history of every place, at the same time, it serves a person's need for relaxation, entertainment, escape from the daily routine and change of the way of living (Manos, 2002). The absence of competition, the improvement of the physical condition and functional abilities, the development of relatedness and the amelioration of the psychological mood constitute the reasons why dance is a recreational activity (Genti, 2008). The dissemination of dance is greatly owed to the existence and increase of a number of dance societies, which safeguard the participation of a big number of both young and middle-aged people, leading thus, to the creation of a significant amount of job posts, where a increasing number of professionals is occupied (Goulimaris & Genti, 2010; Manos, 2005). There is a big number of researches, trying to explain the psychological procedures which promote the participation of people in free time dancing activities, since the most important challenge for the executives of such societies is the preservation of a customer list (Kyle, Absher, Hammitt & Cavin, 2006; Iwasaki & Havitz, 2004). Self Determination Theory, which is important for the understanding of the decisive psychological factors which lead to the participation of people in free time recreational activities, also refers to the degree of involvement of a person in a certain activity, depending on the internal natural pleasure and satisfaction of the participant and also depending on reasons which are irrelevant to this satisfaction (Ryan & Deci, 2000; Vallerand, 2001). In addition, Self Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan 2000), requires three basic psychological needs, which are central for the development of the self determined function, the self determined behavior and the psychological well-being. These three psychological needs are autonomy, competence and need for relatedness. The need for autonomy expresses the necessity of a person to feel that the activity in which he is involved is freely chosen by him and expresses him absolutely. The need for competence reflects the need of a person to feel effective while performing an activity and while interacting with the environment. Finally, the need for relatedness reflects the necessity of a person to feel that there is a reciprocal relation of confidence and respect with the others, during the performance of an activity and a sense of belonging in a group of interacting people.Participating in health and exercise recreational programs has a positive effect on both the cognitive functions and the reinforcement of the psychological well-being. Scientific research has highlighted the connection of psychological well-being to subjective welfare and happiness, optimistic thinking, positive mood, satisfactory living (Diener, Suh, Lucas & Smith, 1999), autonomy, creative relations with the others, as well as more components such as self acceptance, self respect and a meaning in life (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009; Seligman, 2008; Ryan & Deci, 2001). Willis and Campbell (1992) supported that psychological health is "a positive condition of spiritual well-being, in which people feel basically satisfied by themselves, their roles in life and their relationships with the others". …