Correlates of dispositional flow and emotional intelligence: an exploratory study with ballet dancers

This work explored the dynamics of trait emotional intelligence (EI) and dispositional flow in a sample of ballet dancers since research on these topics is scarce in the artistic domain. This study analyses whether EI correlates and predicts flow experiences and whether dancers’ experience influences their levels of EI and flow. One hundred and fifty-two Portuguese ballet dancers, mostly females (90.7%), aged 15–18 years-old (69.7%), and students (87.4%), answered the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form (TEIQue SF), Dispositional Flow Scale (DFS2), a dance practice questionnaire and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results confirmed the positive correlation between trait EI and flow ( r = .43) and the predictive effect of dancers’ trait EI on their flow experiences ( ß = .43). Moreover, differences on dancer’s trait EI and flow were found according to their experience. This study corroborates previous associations and reinforces research in the artistic domain as a privileged context of optimal human achievement.