Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Graham, Steven

Keywords

Yoga, Self-Esteem, Self-Compassion, Stress

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

Evidence suggests that yoga not only has physical benefits, but is associated with decreases in stress, depression, anxiety, and increases in self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between length of hatha yoga experience and the variables of perceived stress, self-esteem, and self-compassion. Participants were drawn from various yoga forums and completed an online survey, which included Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and Neff's Self Compassion Scale Short Form. These scales were supplemented with short-response questions in order to give a qualitative, personal voice to the data. No significant correlation was found between length of hatha yoga experience and any of the variables. However, data revealed a significant negative correlation between perceived stress and self-esteem, and between perceived stress and self-compassion, while indicating a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and self-compassion. Despite these results, it is still likely that hatha yoga has a correlation with these variables, demonstrated by both the research contained in relevant literature and within the answers to short-response questions given in the survey.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

Download

Share

COinS