Effects Of Yoga Practice On Psychological Health Of Ethnically Diverse College Students

Mental health problems, such as anxiety disorders and depression, are prominent diagnoses among American college-age students. Yoga as a method for improving people’s psychological health has been validated in various published research. However, the acute impact of yoga practice on urban, ethnically diverse minority undergraduate students has not yet been examined. PURPOSE: This study assessed changes in acute impacts of a single yoga session following a semester-long yoga intervention on the mental health of ethnically diverse undergraduate students. METHODS: 46 college undergraduates (mean age = 24.6 ± 7.7 years) were assigned to either yoga (n = 22) or control (reading, n = 24) groups. The control group was seen only at the beginning and end of 14 weeks. The yoga group participated in 14 weeks of once-weekly yoga practice. Mental health was assessed using self-report measures of anxiety, sadness, anger, fatigue, perceived stress, and positive affect from the NIH Toolbox. Measures were administered to each participant 4 times: at the start and end of each session (acute impact), at the beginning and end of the 14 weeks. Separate 2 (session) x 2 (semester) x 2 (group) mixed factorial ANOVAs were conducted for each dependent measure to assess the acute effects of yoga on psychological health, as well as changes in these effects after extended practice. RESULTS: There were statistically significant acute reductions (p < .05) in anger, fatigue, and anxiety in both yoga and control groups, which became more pronounced at the end of the semester only in the yoga group. Additionally, only the yoga group demonstrated significant acute reductions (p < .05) in perceived stress and sadness that were similar in magnitude at both the beginning and end of the semester. Finally, the yoga group demonstrated a significant acute increase in positive affect (p < .05) but only at the beginning of the semester. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a single session engaged in a quiet, mindful activity (either yoga or reading) has measurable psychological benefits. These acute benefits are more pronounced after long-term yoga practice for anger, fatigue, and anxiety, suggesting a dose-response relationship. The acute effect of yoga on stress, sadness, and positive affect did not change over time.