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The plateau experience and Chinese martial arts: A programme to enhance student self-esteem

2024; British Psychological Society; Volume: 25; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.53841/bpstran.2024.25.1.25

2396-9636

Scott Buckler, Harriett Moore,

Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

The therapeutic benefits of martial art training has a lengthy research tradition. Despite the physical benefits, from a psychological perspective, many positive attributes have been discussed, for example the reduction of depression and anxiety, increased self-esteem, and self-transcendent benefits (e.g. Columbus and Rice, 1998; Massey, 1998; Monahan, 2003; Twemlow et al., 1996; Weiser et al., 1995; Yang, 1998; Wang, 2010). However, this research has become dated, and research seldom investigates younger demographic samples. With the inherent potential dangers of training younger children safely in the martial arts (to avoid training injuries) and to negate children using techniques outside of the training context, the ‘Mindful Movement Programme (MMP)’ synthesised and simplified certain techniques from both the Wing Chun Kuen and Bāguàzhäng systems into a series of ten exercises. Similarly, elements of energy and footwork were removed to negate practical application. A quasi-experiment was conducted, adopting a convergent mixed methodological design. This combined predominantly quantitative data through both state and trait measures of self-esteem with a smaller qualitative element from participants’ responses of the programme. A control group (N=24, age M=11.0 years) and an experimental group (N=22, age M=11.0 years) were assessed prior to, and at the end of, a four-week programme. A one-way between-groups analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in both trait and state self-esteem for the experimental group, while both the state and trait self-esteem for the control group diminished. From a qualitative perspective, the experimental group reported many positive attributes, such as relaxing, calming, absorbing, etc., areas that resonate with Maslow’s concept of the plateau experience. Consequently, from the results of this study, a martial art inspired programme for children can increase both trait and state self-esteem. Such a programme could easily be adopted within school settings.