Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Emotional Well-Being among Dancers: The Role of Perfectionism, Locus of Control and Help-Seeking

Dance, and especially ballet, is one of the most physically demanding activities. Professional dancers train almost every day, requiring a high level of commitment (Ekegren et al., 2014). They must meet both physical and mental demands to develop their dance techniques (Gregory & Interiano-Shiverdecker, 2021). This population is often characterized by high levels of perfectionism, striving for achievement, and setting high standards sometimes at the expense of their physical, emotional, and social needs (Cumming & Duda, 2011; Johnson et al., 2011; Smith et al., 2018). Research has shown higher rates of mental distress and eating disorders among dancers (Akesdotter et al., 2014; Gregory & Interiano-Shiverdecker, 2021), but only few studies have explored self-harm in this group. The current study aims to examine the association between personality traits (perfectionism and locus of control) and self-harm and mental distress among dancers, as well as the moderating role of help-seeking behavior. The study included 99 participants aged 18–35, dancers currently active or who stopped dancing within the past five years. This is a quantitative, correlational study, and data were collected through self-report questionnaires. Questionnaires included scales assessing mental distress, self-harm, locus of control, perfectionism, help-seeking behavior, and demographic data. The questionnaires were distributed on social media and in dance schools.

The results show a positive association between perfectionism and both mental distress and self-harm, supporting the first hypothesis. The second hypothesis that there would be a negative association between locus of control and mental distress and self-harm was only partially supported. Higher external locus of control was linked to higher levels of distress and self-harm, but internal locus of control was not related to either. Contrary to expectations, help-seeking behavior did not moderate the association between perfectionism or locus of control and mental distress or self-harm.                                           

The association between general perfectionism and both self-harm and mental distress fits with previous research. There were significant positive correlations between all dimensions of perfectionism and mental distress, a finding that supports past studies on the negative impact of perfectionism on mental well-being (Limburg et al., 2017). The ongoing pressure to maintain perfection and meet external expectations is a major risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in vulnerable individuals. This risk is even higher among people with maladaptive perfectionism, a type of perfectionism linked to despair, emotional pain, and social isolation (Flett et al., 2014). However, when the dimensions of perfectionism were analyzed separately, only socially prescribed perfectionism was significantly associated with self-harm among dancers.           

Regarding the second hypothesis, previous research shows that suicidal thoughts and mental distress are more common in people with high external locus of control because they often feel helpless and believe that outside forces control their lives (Rotter, 1966; Aydin et al., 2018). In the current study, external locus of control was related to the dependent variables (distress and self-harm), but internal locus of control was not.

The main finding of this study is the association between socially prescribed perfectionism and self-harm, as well as the strong relationship between all dimensions of perfectionism and mental distress. These results help us better understand perfectionism as a complex and multi-dimensional concept. This study contributes to the understanding of how personality traits (perfectionism and locus of control) relate to mental distress and self-harm among dancers, a population often under high social and competitive pressure. The importance of the findings lies in the need for early identification of at-risk personality traits in these groups, and in developing support and intervention programs tailored for dancers - a group that has received limited attention in mental health research. This could also help dance teachers and therapists recognize early warning signs and reduce perfectionistic pressures in learning and performance environments. In practical terms, the study’s insights may serve as a basis for designing prevention and intervention programs to promote mental health among dancers, both in educational and professional settings.