# Relationships between self-esteem, self-efficacy, and interoceptive awareness among pole dancers: a network analysis

## TL;DR

This study explores how pole dancing affects the mental and physical connections between self-esteem, self-efficacy, and body awareness.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel network analysis of interoceptive awareness, self-efficacy, and self-esteem in pole dancers.

## Key findings

- Pole dancers showed higher self-efficacy and interoceptive awareness compared to non-dancers.
- Network analysis revealed distinct pathways linking self-esteem and self-efficacy to interoceptive awareness dimensions.
- Body Listening and Not Worrying were key dimensions influenced by pole dancing.

## Abstract

Evidence suggests that physical activity is positively associated with interoceptive awareness, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. However, little is known about how these variables interplay within the mind-body connection. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationship between self-esteem, self-efficacy, and interoceptive awareness using network analysis.

The sample consisted of 263 women participating in a cross-sectional study, aged 18 to 54 years (M = 26.00, SD = 6.65), including 153 (58.18%) pole dancers. The online survey comprised the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness – Version 2 (MAIA-2), which were used to measure self-esteem, self-efficacy, and interoceptive awareness, respectively.

The Student’s t-test showed that women who practice pole dance differ significantly from those who do not in self-efficacy, the overall interoceptive awareness score, and it’s Not-Worrying subscale. The overall network structure was similar in both groups (women who practiced pole dance and those who did not), with minor differences in the strength and number of connections between nodes. Centrality indices revealed the most considerable between-group differences for Body Listening, Non-Distracting, and Non-Worrying. Two primary circuits have been identified, connecting the self-concept (self-esteem and self-efficacy) with the individual dimensions of interoceptive awareness.

Evidence suggests that self-efficacy and self-esteem are connected via distinct, specific pathways to interoceptive dimensions within the network of mind-body connections. The differences between groups suggest that participation in pole dance training may significantly impact the network of mind-body interconnections, particularly in relation to two dimensions of interoceptive awareness: Body Listening and Not Worrying. The findings are discussed in the view of the Inference Model, Allostatic Self-Efficacy theory, and Psychosomatic Competence Model.