Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C (2025)

The study examined the influence of Kathak dance practice on menstrual health and psychological well-being among adolescent girls. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed involving 67 girls aged 13–17 years from West Bengal, India. Participants were divided into a Kathak dancer group with a minimum of three years of regular training and a sedentary group with no structured physical activity. Psychological well-being was assessed using Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale, while menstrual health was evaluated through a standardized menstrual health questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests were applied, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. The two groups were comparable in age, height, and body mass, indicating baseline homogeneity. Kathak dancers demonstrated significantly higher overall psychological well-being compared to sedentary participants (p<0.001). Specifically, autonomy, personal growth, and positive relations with others were significantly higher in the dancer group (p<0.01), while no significant differences were observed for environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Menstrual health outcomes showed no difference in age at menarche between groups. However, menstrual pain scores were significantly lower among Kathak dancers (p<0.001). Dancers also reported fewer disruptions in daily activities, lower school absenteeism, and more active coping strategies during menstruation. The findings suggest that regular engagement in Kathak dance is associated with better psychological well-being and reduced menstrual discomfort among adolescent girls. Kathak dance, as a culturally rooted and structured physical activity, may serve as an effective non-pharmacological approach to support adolescent mental and reproductive health. These results support the inclusion of classical dance forms within school- and community-based health promotion programs.