Effects of a yoga-based intervention for young adults on quality of life and perceived stress: the potential mediating roles of mindfulness and self-compassion
Abstract
The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of a yoga-based program on quality of life, perceived stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion in young adults. These variables were measured in 33 self-selected participants of a four-month residential yoga intervention before and after the program. Forty-three demographically matched controls completed the same questionnaires at two time points with a four-month interval inbetween. Participation in the program predicted increases in quality of life and decreases in perceived stress, mediated by mindfulness and self-compassion. Multiple mediator models revealed that the effect of group on quality of life was simultaneously mediated by mindfulness and self-compassion, while the effect of group on perceived stress was only mediated by self-compassion. These positive effects on perceived stress and quality of life suggest that yoga-based interventions may be of value in cultivating subjective well-being in young adults. Furthermore, yoga-based and mindfulness-based interventions may share underlying mechanisms.
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From Mindfulness, Interoception, and the Body: A Contemporary Perspective (2019) · cites this paper as Gard et al., 2012
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- Authors
- Gard, T., Brach, N., Hölzel, B. K., Noggle, J. J., Conboy, L. A., & Lazar, S. W.
- Affiliations
- Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (DE)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Gard, Tim
- Venue
- The Journal of Positive Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-05
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 165-175
- ISSN
- 1743-9760 (ISSN-L)
- 1743-9779
- OpenAlex
- W2128100812
- Cited by
- 163
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 10.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Positive Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Keywords
- yoga, quality of life, perceived stress, mindfulness, self-compassion, young adults, subjective well-being, mediation, yoga intervention
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