Hatha Yoga, Meditation, and Focus Groups Decrease Body Shame, Surveillance, and Increase· Body and Self-Esteem in College Women
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Authors
Franks, Jaime N.
Issue Date
2009
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Body consciousness is associated with low body and self-esteem, increased body shame, and
surveillance. Research confirms that yoga, meditation, and focus groups increase body and self-esteem,
and body satisfaction. This proposed 6-month study, including 125 college age women
of varying ethnic backgrounds, compares the effects of one of these activities versus the
combination of all three on body shame, surveillance, and body and self-esteem. Using a random
number generator, participants were separated into 5 equal sized groups, a combination group
(Hatha yoga, meditation, and a focus group), a Hatha yoga group, a meditation group, a focus
group, and a control group. All participants completed the Objectified Body Consciousness
scale, the Body Esteem Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in a pretest-posttest format. The
combination group was predicted to produce a more significant increase in body and self-esteem
and decrease in self-surveillance and body shame than the Hatha yoga group, the meditation
group, the focus group, or the control group. This study affirmed the positive effects of yoga as
indicated by other studies (e.g., Bergen & Owen, 1992; Netz & Lidor, 2003), such as mood
elevation, stress reduction, improved well-being and body and self-esteem. The study also
replicated research that demonstrated decreased levels of stress in individuals who practiced
mindfulness meditation. Results also indicated, as predicted, that participants in the combination
group experienced a significantly larger increase in body and self-esteem and decrease in
surveillance and body shame than any other group. These findings suggest the efficacy of
combining these three activities as a method for decreasing body shame and surveillance and
increasing body and self-esteem.
Description
v, 56 p.
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License
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