(E)motion is an experiential programme based on physical activities, therapeutic and creative dance. The program also includes activities that bring challenges in the form of frustration, overcoming the comfort zone and also problem solving. An important goal of our program is to guide participants to better connect with their bodies in terms of embodiment. Embodiment is a form of experiencing and understanding the world through the body in lived experiences (Piran et al., 2020). Part of our project is also to examine changes in coping self-efficacy after completing the program. Coping self-efficacy embodies an individual's perceived capability to effectively manage and overcome stressful or challenging situations. Embodiment is considered to contribute to the development of coping self-efficacy by shaping individuals’ bodily self-perception and perceived abilities. In our study, we hypothesized that changes in embodiment would be positively associated with changes in coping self-efficacy. The research had a quasi-experimental design. The research sample consisted of a total of 73 Slovak university students with an average age of 21.45 years who completed the (E)motion program in two blocks, for a total of 12 class periods. We used the EES scale The experience of embodiment (Piran et al., 2020) adapted for the Slovak population. Embodiment contains 6 factors: Positive body connection and comfort, Body Un-encumbered Adjustment, Agency and functionality, Experience and Expression of Sexual Desire, Attunedself-care, Resisting objectification. We also used the Coping self-efficacy scale (CSES; Chesney et al., 2006) adapted for the Slovak population. The CSE scale measures three factors: using problem-focused coping, stopping unpleasant emotions and thoughts, and getting support from friends and family. The internal consistency calculation of this method showed good reliability of the EES factors and CES factors in both pretest and posttest (α=0.70-0.87). Changes in embodiment factors were weakly to moderately positively correlated with changes in coping self-efficacy factors. These results are considered in light of the potential to foster coping self-efficacy through the facilitation of embodiment processes.

Keywords: Embodiment, coping self-efficacy, university students, program (E)motion.