Movement, gender, and reproductive wellbeing: dance education as an informal health pathway for Chinese women

Abstract

This study explores dance education as an informal health pathway linked to movement, gender, and reproductive wellbeing among Chinese women. A quantitative cross-sectional design surveyed women of reproductive age using a structured questionnaire measuring dance education participation, psychosocial mediators, and reproductive wellbeing. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation, regression, and mediation models. Results showed that higher levels of dance education participation were associated with greater reproductive wellbeing. Dance education also positively correlated with emotional regulation, body awareness, and social connection, and negatively with perceived stress. Mediation analysis confirmed that these psychosocial mechanisms partially explain the relationship between dance education and reproductive wellbeing. These findings position dance education as a cultural, gender-responsive, non-clinical intervention for women's health promotion. The study provides empirical support for the proposed conceptual framework and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5, demonstrating how informal, community-based practices can support women's reproductive wellbeing in China.