Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees
IntroductionAcademic environments are known for their high demands, often resulting in significant distress among employees. Thus, identifying effective intervention strategies to mitigate workplace stress is essential. The present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of mind–body intervent...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1502426/full |
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| author | Alice Valdesalici Silvia Cerea Silvia Cerea Alessandra Pecunioso Antonio Paoli Gioia Grigolin Rosa Nardelli Alessandra Armenti Marta Ghisi Marta Ghisi |
| author_facet | Alice Valdesalici Silvia Cerea Silvia Cerea Alessandra Pecunioso Antonio Paoli Gioia Grigolin Rosa Nardelli Alessandra Armenti Marta Ghisi Marta Ghisi |
| author_sort | Alice Valdesalici |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAcademic environments are known for their high demands, often resulting in significant distress among employees. Thus, identifying effective intervention strategies to mitigate workplace stress is essential. The present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of mind–body interventions (i.e., Yoga and Tai Chi) on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental and physical health of female university employees.MethodsA total of 166 female university employees and faculty members participated in 10 sessions of Tai Chi or Yoga. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing ruminative thoughts, somatic anxiety, general distress, perceived physical and mental health, and assertive and cooperative behaviors before and after the 10 Tai Chi/Yoga sessions. Additionally, participants completed a state anxiety questionnaire before and after Tai Chi/Yoga second and second-to-last lessons.ResultsResults showed significant differences between scores pre and post Tai Chi and Yoga programs, with lower ruminative thoughts (p = 0.007), lower somatic anxiety (p < 0.001), and higher perceived mental health (p = 0.038) at the end of the programs (i.e., after 10 sessions) compared to the beginning. Moreover, significant differences were found in state anxiety scores, with a reduction in state anxiety at the end of the second (p < 0.001) and second-to-last (p < 0.001) lessons compared to the start.ConclusionOur findings highlight the potential positive impact of Tai Chi and Yoga programs on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental health of female university employees. Immediate reductions in state anxiety following single sessions further underscore the potential of these practices for short-term stress relief. Overall, the results support the implementation of mind–body practices in workplace settings to promote a healthier work environment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-588efce4db7345e6a43c0d1fbc37afc6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-588efce4db7345e6a43c0d1fbc37afc62024-12-12T14:24:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782024-12-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.15024261502426Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employeesAlice Valdesalici0Silvia Cerea1Silvia Cerea2Alessandra Pecunioso3Antonio Paoli4Gioia Grigolin5Rosa Nardelli6Alessandra Armenti7Marta Ghisi8Marta Ghisi9Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyCommunication and Marketing Area, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyCommunication and Marketing Area, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyCommunication and Marketing Area, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, ItalyU.O.C. Hospital Psychology, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, ItalyIntroductionAcademic environments are known for their high demands, often resulting in significant distress among employees. Thus, identifying effective intervention strategies to mitigate workplace stress is essential. The present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of mind–body interventions (i.e., Yoga and Tai Chi) on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental and physical health of female university employees.MethodsA total of 166 female university employees and faculty members participated in 10 sessions of Tai Chi or Yoga. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing ruminative thoughts, somatic anxiety, general distress, perceived physical and mental health, and assertive and cooperative behaviors before and after the 10 Tai Chi/Yoga sessions. Additionally, participants completed a state anxiety questionnaire before and after Tai Chi/Yoga second and second-to-last lessons.ResultsResults showed significant differences between scores pre and post Tai Chi and Yoga programs, with lower ruminative thoughts (p = 0.007), lower somatic anxiety (p < 0.001), and higher perceived mental health (p = 0.038) at the end of the programs (i.e., after 10 sessions) compared to the beginning. Moreover, significant differences were found in state anxiety scores, with a reduction in state anxiety at the end of the second (p < 0.001) and second-to-last (p < 0.001) lessons compared to the start.ConclusionOur findings highlight the potential positive impact of Tai Chi and Yoga programs on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental health of female university employees. Immediate reductions in state anxiety following single sessions further underscore the potential of these practices for short-term stress relief. Overall, the results support the implementation of mind–body practices in workplace settings to promote a healthier work environment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1502426/fullworkplaceYogaTai Chiwellbeinghealth promotioninterventions |
| spellingShingle | Alice Valdesalici Silvia Cerea Silvia Cerea Alessandra Pecunioso Antonio Paoli Gioia Grigolin Rosa Nardelli Alessandra Armenti Marta Ghisi Marta Ghisi Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees Frontiers in Psychology workplace Yoga Tai Chi wellbeing health promotion interventions |
| title | Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees |
| title_full | Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees |
| title_fullStr | Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees |
| title_full_unstemmed | Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees |
| title_short | Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees |
| title_sort | promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through yoga and tai chi classes in female university employees |
| topic | workplace Yoga Tai Chi wellbeing health promotion interventions |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1502426/full |
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