2037 - CLINICAL EFFECTS OF DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY AND SOCIAL IMPACT ON THE RECOVERY PROCESS OF WOMEN REFUGEES: A COMPARATIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Session: D06S031 - Migration and Minority Stress 2
AUTHORS:
Tomaszewski Crystal (University of Marie and Louis Pasteur; University of Lyon ~ Besançon, Lyon ~ France) , Ho Thi Cat Tien (University of Limerick ~ Limerick ~ Ireland) , Steltmann Sonja (University of Heidelberg; University of Mainz ~ Heidelberg, Mainz ~ Germany) , Drikaki Despoina (Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Efthyvoulou Andrea (N/A ~ N/A ~ Cyprus) , Mruszczyk Katarzyna Joanna (N/A ~ N/A ~ Italy) , Idrizi Fatlinda (N/A ~ N/A ~ United States of America) , Belot Rose-Angélique (University of Marie and Louis Pasteur ~ Besançon ~ France) , Essadek Aziz (University of Lorraine; EOS PSY; Saint-Maurice Hospitals ~ Nancy, Paris, Saint-Maurice ~ France) , Clesse Christophe (University of Roehampton ~ London ~ United Kingdom) , Koch Sabine C (Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences; SRH University Heidelberg ~ Alfter, Heidelberg ~ Germany)
Abstract text:
Introduction: Women affected by migration are often at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Dance movement therapy (DMT) can be effective in alleviating these symptoms. Psychotherapeutic interventions, including DMT, are more effective when addressing structural vulnerabilities linked to migration, including exposure to violence, material insecurity, and social isolation.
Purpose: Our study explored whether social factors, such as access to food, housing, employment, and social support, moderate the effectiveness of DMT.
Method: This comparative longitudinal study examined the role of social determinants in the effectiveness of DMT among migration-affected women (N = 28). Participants were assigned to either an experimental group receiving the DMT intervention or a control group without intervention. Data were collected at baseline (T0) and after two months (T1). Measures included a socio-demographic questionnaire, the DASS-21 for depression, stress, and anxiety, the PCLS for PTSD symptoms, and the SSQ6 for social support (which assessed perceived availability of social support sources and satisfaction of the support). Within- and between-group comparisons were conducted using Mann-Whitney U tests, and robust linear regressions estimated adjusted associations with contextual covariates.
Results: Participants in the DMT group showed greater reductions in depression and hyper-arousal compared to controls. Social support was the most consistent predictor of improvement, while food access, housing stability, and employment had limited or inconsistent effects.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that clinical interventions should not only implement DMT but also actively integrate social determinants of health, ensuring care is both therapeutic and context sensitive. From a research perspective, this study underscores the need for further research on how social variables moderate the effects of DMT, especially among migration-affected women. Larger studies are required to clarify the complex interactions between mental health, social contexts, and therapeutic outcomes.