The practicability and relevance of developing a yoga intervention for mental health consumers: A qualitative study.
Nicole Snaith, Philippa Rasmussen, Tim Schultz, Michael Proeve
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing January 28, 2020 DOI: 10.1111/inm.12694 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | Mental health consumers with a long-term mental health condition plus anxiety and/or depression, mental health staff from a metropolitan community mental health setting, and yoga teachers |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Yoga Intervention Qualitative study Mental health consumers |
| Key findings | Consumers and staff emphasized that the yoga teacher's mental health understanding and experience, trauma-informed care, safe space, and environmental design matter, while yoga teachers focused less on mental health considerations, which the authors suggest may reflect a broader knowledge gap. Recommended yoga practice elements included pre-information, regular and consistent practice, modifications, breathwork, mindfulness, and guided practice. |
Abstract
The aim of the study was to understand the perspectives of mental health consumers, staff, and yoga teachers on the characteristics of a yoga-based intervention to be developed for consumers with a long-term mental health condition, in addition to anxiety and/or depression. Two focus groups were held with mental health consumers (n = 8), two focus groups with mental health staff (n = 13) from a metropolitan community mental health setting, and five one-on-one interviews with yoga teachers. Participants were asked about the feasibility and appropriateness of a range of yoga practice features to be tested as a newly developed yoga-based intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Findings included the following consumer themes: Mental health understanding and experience of teachers and participants is important, Creating a safe space and Yoga practice elements. Staff themes included Mental health understanding and experience of teachers is important, Environmental design, and Yoga practice elements. Yoga teacher themes included Environmental design and Yoga practice elements. Mental health understanding and experience of the yoga teacher, and trauma-informed care were consistently emphasized by consumers and staff. Teachers focused less on specific mental health considerations, which may be reflective of a broader knowledge gap. Recommendations regarding yoga practice elements, including pre-information, regular and consistent practice, modifications, breathwork, mindfulness and guided practice, and environmental design features, were consistent with current trauma-informed yoga research. Findings will be used to guide the development of a yoga-based intervention for consumers with a long-term mental health condition, in addition to anxiety and/or depression.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 5
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