Mindfulness and avoidance mediate the relationship between yoga practice and anxiety.
Marina Boni, Robert Schütze, Robert T Kane, Katherine L Morgan-Lowes, Jean Byrne, Sarah J Egan
Complementary Therapies in Medicine October 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.08.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 367 |
| Population | Yoga practitioners recruited online |
| Interventions | Yoga Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Avoidance Mediation Transdiagnostic Yoga |
| Key findings | Length of yoga practice was significantly correlated with lower self-reported anxiety among yoga practitioners. Mindfulness and emotional avoidance mediated this relationship, which the authors propose as possible mechanisms by which yoga reduces anxiety, while cautioning that causal conclusions await experimental and longitudinal research. |
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that yoga and mindfulness meditation can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, although the mechanisms by which this occurs remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between yoga practice and self-reported anxiety as well as the potential mediating roles of mindfulness and emotional avoidance. Using a cross-sectional design, 367 participants were recruited online and completed measures of anxiety, avoidance, and mindfulness. Results showed that length of yoga practice was significantly correlated with lower anxiety in yoga practitioners. Avoidance and mindfulness mediated the relationship between length of yoga practice and anxiety, shedding light on possible mechanisms by which these practices reduce anxiety. Future experimental and longitudinal research is needed to examine the causal role of mindfulness and avoidance in the relationship between yoga practice and anxiety, and whether yoga is a useful adjunct to cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety disorders.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Yoga on Psychological Well-Being and Happiness in Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine July 20, 2026
- The Effectiveness of Providing Yoga Exercise Intervention with Islamic Spiritual Mindfulness Intervention on Anxiety Levels in Hypertension Patients at Ngoresan Health Center International Journal of Public Health Excellence September 22, 2023
Cites 15
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition Choice Reviews Online July 1, 2005
- Teaching self-care to caregivers: Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the mental health of therapists in training. Training and Education in Professional Psychology May 1, 2007
and 10 more in the library