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The relationship between Yoga practice and emotional states in healthy female adults
Author
Huang, Zheng
Supervisor
Teo, Chua Tee
Abstract
Depression and anxiety disorders rank among the top mental disorders in Singapore, and women are twice as likely to be affected (Institute of Mental Health, 2011). However, there is low help seeking behaviour from people with mental disorders (Ng et al., 2008). As such, there is a need for an alternative way to control and manage the growth of mental disorders. Previous studies have shown the practice of yoga to be helpful in reducing the depressive and anxiety symptoms (Forfylow, 2011; Meyer et al., 2012). However, there is no knowledge of how effective yoga is on the emotional states of women in the Singapore context. This study examined the effects of yoga on the emotional states of healthy adult women in Singapore. Sixty-six yoga practitioners and 99 non-yoga practitioners were studied. Their emotional states were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) which measures emotional states specific to depression, anxiety and stress; and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) which measures general positive and negative emotional states. Yoga practice was defined to consist of four key components: Breath practice, Physical postures, Meditation, and Yoga philosophy study. The yoga practitioners were asked for their years of yoga practice as well as the number of components in their yoga practice. The yoga group showed significantly lesser negative emotional states specific to depression and anxiety and greater positive emotional states. Significant negative correlations were found between years of yoga practice and anxiety, stress and general negative emotional states. Significant negative correlation was found between the number of components in a yoga practice and stress. The present findings suggested that yoga can reduce the negative emotional states specific to depression and anxiety and bring about greater positive emotional states in women.
Date Issued
2013
Call Number
RA781.67 Hua
Date Submitted
2013