BELIEFS AND EXPERIENCES TOWARDS DANCE AS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG LATINA MOTHERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN PUERTO RICO: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Mothers of individuals with disabilities often face higher levels of stress, which can lead to various health challenges. Physical activity, such as dance, has been shown to support the well-being of caregivers of individuals with disabilities. Despite this, Latina mothers are frequently underrepresented in such research. Gaining insight into the beliefs and experiences of Latina mothers regarding dance is essential for developing culturally relevant interventions that promote their health and well-being. Thus, this study’s primary purpose was to explore Latina mothers’ beliefs and experiences about dance and their likelihood of participating in a dance program. A secondary purpose of the study was to identify Latina mothers’ preferences for dance programs to inform the development of culturally tailored interventions. Methods: Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, we recruited Latina mothers (n = 12; 48.08 ± 8.78) of individuals with developmental disabilities aged 3-32 years living in Puerto Rico. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in Spanish. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic line-by-line analysis with assistance from NVivo 14 software. Results: After data analysis, six themes were constructed. These themes were: (1) Dancing for joy, connection, and tradition; (2) Dance, a physical activity for my mental and physical health; (3) Priorities, lack of childcare, and unawareness of programs hold me back; (4) I need to go the extra mile; (5) Designing dance programs based on mothers’ preferences; and (6) Empowering Latina mothers’ participation in dance programs through childcare. Overall, the findings revealed that caregiving demands, insufficient support, and lack of programs tailored to mothers’ needs hindered dance participation. At the same time, taking care of themselves to better care for their children with a developmental disability served as a motivator for dance and physical activity engagement. Participants valued programs that help them reach their health goals, including childcare services and a fusion of dance experiences. Conclusion: The results emphasize the need for childcare support systems to aid mothers’ participation in dance. Effective programs should be culturally appropriate and tailored to the mother’s needs. As well as provide a flexible approach that considers the demanding caregiving routines of the mothers.