Effects of a Dance-Based Intervention on Affective States and Self-Esteem in Adolescents Receiving Psychiatric Care: Differences Between Youth with and Without Problematic Internet Use—A Pilot Study

Problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescence is associated with adverse psychological outcomes, including emotional symptoms and impaired self-perception. The influence of PIU on physical activities such as dancing remains unclear. This study examined the psychological effects of a dance intervention in a psychiatry setting, focusing on changes in self-esteem and positive and negative emotions comparing adolescents with (PIU+) and without (PIU−) PIU. Eighteen adolescents (mean age = 15.39 years; 10 female) participated in four weekly dance workshops (WSs). Assessments used measures of self-esteem, affect, PIU, and psychiatric diagnosis. Of the sample, 44.4% met criteria for PIU. At baseline (BL), PIU+ adolescents had significantly lower self-esteem (p = 0.018) and higher internalizing disorders (p = 0.041). PIU+ showed a trend toward reduced negative emotion between BL and WS3 (p = 0.063) and significant self-esteem increases from BL to WS2 (p = 0.043) and WS3 (p = 0.042). In PIU−, positive and negative emotion decreased from BL to WS1 (p = 0.008; p = 0.007), while negative emotions increased from WS1 to WS2 (p = 0.027). These findings indicate longitudinal effects of PIU on emotional functioning. Dance interventions may reduce negative emotion and improve self-esteem, supporting use as a clinical treatment approach for adolescents with PIU.