Trauma-Sensitive Yoga: A Collective Case Study of Women’s Trauma Recovery from Intimate Partner Violence
Abstract
More than 1 in 3 women in the United States experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and many of them develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma-sensitive yoga (TSY), a structured, body-oriented yoga practice, has been reported for its potential to ameliorate PTSD symptoms. The purpose of the study was to examine adult female IPV survivors’ experiences of recovery from IPV and trauma as facilitated by an 8-week TSY intervention using a collective case study research design. Participants ages 26 to 52 from diverse ethnic backgrounds participated in the study’s 4 phases. Measures used include the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale–5, Subjective Units of Distress Scale, pre- and post-interviews, and observations. Analyses reflected a moderate change in participants’ PTSD scores attributed to the TSY intervention. Collective themes that emerged include physiological, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Although exploratory, the study illuminates the potential efficacy of TSY for facilitating multifaceted trauma recovery.
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Feasibility and case studies show that trauma-sensitive yoga is a promising intervention specifically for survivors of intimate partner violence, but there are no robust investigations among that population.
“Feasibility and case studies [62,63] show that TSY is a promising intervention specifically for survivors of intimate partner violence, but there are no robust investigations among that population.”
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- Authors
- Ong, I., Cashwell, C. S., & Downs, H. A.
- Affiliations
- Nanyang Technological University (SG)
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
- Center for Creative Leadership (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ong, Isabelle
- Venue
- Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2019-01-02
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 19-33
- ISSN
- 2150-1378 (ISSN-L)
- 2150-1386
- OpenAlex
- W2924051511
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 2.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International (2015-2016 Counseling Research Grant)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- trauma-sensitive yoga, intimate partner violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, women survivors, trauma recovery, PTSD symptom reduction, spiritual benefits, emotional benefits, physiological benefits
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