In this book, I investigated aspects of the multi-
component stress and injury model, which Williams
and Andersen (1998) suggested could be applied in
areas beyond sport. Two studies were carried out
with the goal to develop interventions, which were
tested for their efficacy in the reduction of
injuries, in a third study. The Study 1
was to investigate whether psychosocial factors
(e.g., stress, anxiety, social support, and coping
skills) could predict injuries among dancers.
In Study 2, I examined the sources of stress and
coping strategies of Korean professional ballet
dancers, using in-depth interviews. Dancers were
interviewed to identify the stressors they
experienced and the coping strategies they used
during practice or performance.
The Study 3 was to examine the effects of
two psychological interventions designed to prevent
injury among dancers by enhancing coping skills.
I encourage other researchers to follow my lead by
studying the psychosocial factors underpinning
injury in other specific contexts and then devising
and testing interventions based on the knowledge
that emerges from the in-depth scrutiny of that
context.