Toward an Embodied Integrative Model of Well-Being: Development and Validation of the ESQK Framework in Creative Dance With Ethical AI Augmentation

​Population ageing necessitates innovative approaches that sustain well-being through embodied and relational practices. Although creative dance benefits older adults, integrative models linking embodied, social, reflective-cognitive, and kinesthetic dimensions remain limited. This sequential exploratory mixed-methods study developed and validated the ESQK framework (Embodied Competence, Social Connectedness, Intellectual-Reflective Intelligence [IQ], Kinesthetic-Contextual Knowledge) among women aged 60+. IQ denotes embodied reflective-cognitive engagement rather than psychometric intelligence. Phase 1 involved reflexive thematic analysis of interviews, observations, and journals (n = 28), identifying four interdependent dimensions. Phase 2 produced a 24-item ESQK scale demonstrating strong reliability (α = 0.84–0.89; CVI = 0.84). Phase 3 evaluated a 12-week creative dance program with optional ethical AI support (n = 84), yielding statistically significant pre-post changes across domains (d = 1.60–1.79) and acceptable model fit (CFI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.051). Participants described AI-supported features as autonomy-enhancing. Findings provide preliminary empirical support for an embodied integrative model of later-life well-being with implications for community arts and policy.