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Full-Text Articles in Social Work

Practice Note: Using Yoga For Emotional Regulation In Intermediate School Teenagers, Nafees Alam Jul 2022

Practice Note: Using Yoga For Emotional Regulation In Intermediate School Teenagers, Nafees Alam

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: This paper examines techniques used in yoga, including breathing techniques, various forms of meditation and physical postures that can impact youth diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) learning to regulate their emotions to enhance their academic performance. Methods: The intervention was administered to teens at an intermediate public school for six weeks. Seventeen participants were chosen by mental health counselors and worked together with a yoga facilitator to better serve teens struggling with emotional regulation. Results: Pre- and post-tests show that meditation was the overall preferred technique chosen by students as a method to aid with emotional regulation. …


Trauma-Sensitive Training For Yoga Teachers Serving Individuals Experiencing Incarceration, Roberta Hines May 2021

Trauma-Sensitive Training For Yoga Teachers Serving Individuals Experiencing Incarceration, Roberta Hines

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Yoga For All Movement is a non-profit agency that facilitates yoga programs in underserved communities. This project delivered a trauma-sensitive training for yoga teachers to learn how to best serve individuals experiencing incarceration. The macro-level social problem is that the justice system perpetuates trauma for incarcerated individuals. The agency problem is that yoga teachers are untrained and unprepared to work with this population. The project purpose was to increase yoga teachers’ knowledge and skills to prepare them to lead effective yoga classes in an incarcerated environment such as in jails and prisons. Participants in the training reported that they increased …


Social Work Students' Attitudes Towards Using Yoga, Alexis Freed Apr 2020

Social Work Students' Attitudes Towards Using Yoga, Alexis Freed

Honors Theses

Current social work students are in the position of becoming future professionals who will be providing treatment and referrals to clients. It is crucial that social workers are aware of effective treatments and utilize evidence-based practices. The present study aimed to assess opinions and knowledge of social work students towards using yoga in general and as a therapeutic intervention, which is known as trauma sensitive yoga (TSY). An anonymous survey was created in order to determine this. Participants in this study were male and female students at Western Michigan University within the College of Health and Human Services who were …


Yoga-Specific Enhancement Of Quality Of Life Among Women With Breast Cancer: Systematic Review And Exploratory Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Daline El-Hashimi, Kevin M. Gorey Jan 2019

Yoga-Specific Enhancement Of Quality Of Life Among Women With Breast Cancer: Systematic Review And Exploratory Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Daline El-Hashimi, Kevin M. Gorey

Social Work Publications

Physical activities during and after cancer treatment have favorable psychosocial effects. Increasingly, yoga has become a popular approach to improving the quality of life (QoL) of women with breast cancer. However, the extant synthetic evidence on yoga has not used other exercise comparison conditions. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess yoga-specific effects relative to any other physical exercise intervention (eg, aerobics) for women with breast cancer. QoL was the primary outcome of interest. Eight randomized controlled trials with 545 participants were included. The sample-weighted synthesis at immediate postintervention revealed marginally statistically and modest practically significant differences suggesting yoga’s potentially greater …


A Systematic Review: Examination Of Yoga-Based Interventions To Determine Their Benefits And Effectiveness In Treating Ptsd In Women, Jessica Skaare May 2018

A Systematic Review: Examination Of Yoga-Based Interventions To Determine Their Benefits And Effectiveness In Treating Ptsd In Women, Jessica Skaare

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This systematic review was designed to examine yoga-based interventions to determine their benefits and effectiveness in treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in women. The review was set up using peer reviewed articles published after 2007. The databases Scopus, CINHAL, AMED, Health Source, PsychINFO and Pilots were systematically searched using the terms: “post-traumatic stress disorder” or “PTSD” and “yoga-based interventions” or “yoga interventions” or “yoga” or “mind-body therapy”. Out of these searches nine articles satisfied criteria for inclusion and were used in the final review. Three themes emerged from the research synthesis regarding how yoga-based interventions can be beneficial and effective for …


Effects Of Yoga And Mindfulness-Based Practices On Stress And Anxiety In Children And Adolescents, Amanda Geldert May 2017

Effects Of Yoga And Mindfulness-Based Practices On Stress And Anxiety In Children And Adolescents, Amanda Geldert

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study focused on yoga, and other mindfulness-based practices and how they impact children and adolescents who are dealing with stress and anxiety. Three interviews were conducted with Yoga Calm certified instructors who work with children and adolescents, and how they view the impacts of Yoga Calm on the population they work with. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Once analyzed, nine themes were found: Children use tools they are taught to cope with stress and anxiety, practicing mindfulness allows one to better listen to their bodies, lack of time, resistance from children, children teaching others, adaptation for developmental differences, …


Warrior Pose: Evaluation Of Yoga Programming For Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness, Stacey Lillebo May 2017

Warrior Pose: Evaluation Of Yoga Programming For Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness, Stacey Lillebo

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness and practicality of offering yoga classes for youth aged 18-24 years old experiencing homelessness. The class took place at an urban drop-in center for homeless youth located in a metropolitan city in the Midwest. The goals for the yoga class were to provide a safe space for youth, improve overall physical and mental health, test the effectiveness of yoga programming, and to provide the blue print for future research. A mixed method approach was selected for this evaluation using survey and openended questions and field observations. Quantitative techniques for analysis …


Adolescent Yoga: Goals And Settings In Therapeutic Practice, Alison Roberts May 2017

Adolescent Yoga: Goals And Settings In Therapeutic Practice, Alison Roberts

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Mindfulness practices, such as yoga, involve being fully present in the moment and practicing a non-judgmental acceptance of experiences. Among the last 10 years there has been an increased popularity of mind-body practices, but there is limited information examining how yoga is practiced by adolescents in therapeutic settings. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to answer how certified professionals use mind-body techniques, such as yoga and mindfulness, with adolescents and the intended goals. Synthesis of qualified articles revealed six common themes involving improved academic performance, stress, mood, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence and resilience. It is recommended to seek …


Yoga For Depression And Anxiety: A Systematic Review, Rachel Hanson May 2016

Yoga For Depression And Anxiety: A Systematic Review, Rachel Hanson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Yoga is a 3,000 year-old practice that has evolved into a holistic approach to general wellness and healing. Yoga is beginning to be recognized by researchers and clinicians as a complementary therapy that encompasses multiple components of healing that are being singled out or used in pieces as parts of traditional treatment methods. The purpose of this research is to conduct an exhaustive review of the research that has been performed on using yoga or yoga therapy to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. This review will focus on how yoga is being used to address symptoms of depression …


Effects Of Mind And Body Interventions On Family Dementia Caregivers: A Systematic Review, Katherine C. Johnson May 2016

Effects Of Mind And Body Interventions On Family Dementia Caregivers: A Systematic Review, Katherine C. Johnson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Family members caring for a loved one with dementia encounter a multitude of physical and psychological stressors. Current interventions address some of these concerns, but are not adequate to address the daily psychological stress that leads so many dementia caregivers to anxiety and depression. The current review selects empirical research from the past twelve years on the effects of mind and body interventions on family dementia caregivers and finds that, while intervention type varies widely, overall results suggest that MBSR and yoga-based methods implemented for eight weeks can have a beneficial impact on caregiver anxiety, depression, mood, stress, and quality …


The Relationships Between Perceived Stress, The Big Five Inventory, The Five- Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, And Yoga, Erin Meyer Stamp May 2016

The Relationships Between Perceived Stress, The Big Five Inventory, The Five- Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, And Yoga, Erin Meyer Stamp

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Much research exists on the relationships between personality and stress, and other research examines the relationships between stress and coping. However, few studies have examined the relationships between how personality, stress, and coping. This study investigated the relationships between stress, personality, mindfulness, and yoga practice. A survey including an abbreviated version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10), a short version of the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SV), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and qualitative questions on yoga practice was created. Fifty-eight people participated. Results indicate that personality not only impacts how people perceive stress, but it may also impact how people …


Evolving From An Illusionary And Self Destructive Quest For Power To A State Of Empowerment: The Curative Potential Yoga May Hold As A Vehicle To Reclaiming Bodily Empowerment For Women With Anorexia, Heather C. Pizzanello Jan 2016

Evolving From An Illusionary And Self Destructive Quest For Power To A State Of Empowerment: The Curative Potential Yoga May Hold As A Vehicle To Reclaiming Bodily Empowerment For Women With Anorexia, Heather C. Pizzanello

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Eating disorders disproportionately afflict women and they are one of the most lethal mental health conditions that practitioners in the field of social work and related mental health fields encounter. Equally alarming is the fact that Anorexia Nervosa is the deadliest of all eating disorders, yet, we are struggling to find an efficacious means of successfully intervening in the treatment and recovery maintenance of anorexia. Drawing from past empirical and theoretical literature, this study explored the potential that the mind body practice of yoga might hold as a complementary therapeutic tool for women struggling to recover from anorexia. The findings …


Being On The Mat: A Process Evaluation Of Trauma-Informed Yoga For Women With Substance Use Disorders, Amy B. Smoyer Jan 2016

Being On The Mat: A Process Evaluation Of Trauma-Informed Yoga For Women With Substance Use Disorders, Amy B. Smoyer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Yoga practice is associated with positive health outcomes, including benefits related to managing substance use disorders and trauma symptomology. However, low-income vulnerable communities have limited access to yoga. This process evaluation of a trauma-informed yoga program for women with substance use disorders demonstrates the feasibility and utility of using noncertified yoga instructors to offer a basic yoga in community-based agencies. Participants describe outcomes related to relaxation, mindfulness, and movement that are well-aligned with their recovery needs. Study findings suggest the utilization of instructors with minimal training has the potential to expand research about and access to yoga among marginalized communities.


A Systematic Review Of Yoga Interventions In The Incarcerated Setting, Alexandra S. Wimberly, Jia Xue Jan 2016

A Systematic Review Of Yoga Interventions In The Incarcerated Setting, Alexandra S. Wimberly, Jia Xue

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

While yoga interventions in the incarcerated setting are on the rise, little is known regarding their efficacy. The objective of this article is to assess the effects of yoga on the well-being of incarcerated populations. Two reviewers systematically searched PubMed, PsycInfo, EBSCO MegaFILE, Web of Science, Science Direct, AMED, and Google Scholar for yoga intervention studies in jails and prisons. The search yielded 54 results; ten papers met inclusion criteria. Evaluated outcomes included stress, cognitive performance, mental and physical well-being and re-incarceration rates. While the majority of yoga practiced was hatha, yoga interventions also included a focus on yogic philosophy …


The Effects Of A Yoga Nidra Practice On Mental Health Clinicians' Perceived Stress, Kyla L. Ferguson Jan 2016

The Effects Of A Yoga Nidra Practice On Mental Health Clinicians' Perceived Stress, Kyla L. Ferguson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Workplace stress is a prevalent problem among mental health professionals, which has been shown to lead to absenteeism, fatigue, and burnout. This pilot study explored the effects of a yoga nidra relaxation practice on stress levels in clinicians working in a community mental health setting. Thirteen clinicians completed the trial, which involved one guided 20-minute yoga nidra practice per week during the workday. Participants were assessed for perceived stress before and after the eight-week trial. Participants reported significantly lowered perceived stress at the end of the study, indicating that yoga nidra may be a useful intervention in managing and preventing …


Immigrant & Refugee Family Wellness Through Yoga & Zumba, Elizabeth Crawford, Faith Swenson, Angela Serrani, Kathleen Cassidy, Brittany Roy Oct 2015

Immigrant & Refugee Family Wellness Through Yoga & Zumba, Elizabeth Crawford, Faith Swenson, Angela Serrani, Kathleen Cassidy, Brittany Roy

Immigrant and Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga and Zumba

Research poster stemming from IPEC mini-grant funded student project Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba. Students from multiple health professions collaborated to provide Yoga and Zumba classes at the Riverton Community Center. The project aimed to increase the participants’ ability to utilize stress reducing activities through a blend of student created heath education materials and yoga and zumba classes for refugee women and children.


A Chair Based Yoga Workshop For Self-Care And Stress Management For Social Workers And Mental Health Professionals, Aileen J. Mccabe-Maucher Aug 2015

A Chair Based Yoga Workshop For Self-Care And Stress Management For Social Workers And Mental Health Professionals, Aileen J. Mccabe-Maucher

Aileen J McCabe-Maucher

ABSTRACT This dissertation is a continuing education unit (CEU) course that teaches social workers and other mental health professionals how to cultivate resiliency and enhance self-care through the ancient practice of yoga. The course explores emerging research that reveals how yoga and other mindfulness-based practices can positively impact neurochemistry and brain biology. Most of the yoga positions and breathing exercises are practiced from a chair and can be adapted to any level of flexibility and fitness level. Designed to make yoga accessible for everyone, the techniques are gentle and available to individuals with various physical abilities, including participants who may …


Therapists’ Perspectives On The Use Of Yoga In The Treatment Of Trauma, Brianna Klatt May 2015

Therapists’ Perspectives On The Use Of Yoga In The Treatment Of Trauma, Brianna Klatt

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study explored therapists’ experiences of incorporating the practice of yoga into their psychotherapy with clients who experience traumatic stress. Using a qualitative design, five volunteer licensed mental health professionals were interviewed regarding their experiences with integrating yoga as a therapy tool with their clients who experience traumatic stress symptoms. Data was taken from a semi-structured interview and analyzed to identify common themes. The findings support the literature which says, traumatic events affect both the mind and body, and clinicians’ need to implement inventions’ addressing the whole person, to be effective helping clients’ heal from traumatic stress. Findings indicated that …


Deep Breathing And Downward Dog: Supporting Students With An Ebd Through Yoga, Rachel A. Coates May 2015

Deep Breathing And Downward Dog: Supporting Students With An Ebd Through Yoga, Rachel A. Coates

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this research project was to explore how school social workers are utilizing yoga as an intervention for youth who have an emotional/behavioral disorder (EBD). This research project was qualitative in design and seven school social workers from Minnesota were interviewed. Participants interviewed were school social workers from Minnesota that discussed how yoga was being used in schools to increase mindbody awareness and self-regulation among youth who have an emotional/behavioral disorder. Six themes emerged from the data including: normalizing yoga, benefits, yoga curriculum, feedback, barriers, and suggestions. Previous research has indicated that yoga is beneficial not only for …


Yoga As Therapeutic Intervention With Survivors Of Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review, Julia C. Hutchinson May 2015

Yoga As Therapeutic Intervention With Survivors Of Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review, Julia C. Hutchinson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Survivors of sexual abuse state that the experience is harrowing, involving both their body and mind. Traumas like these stimulate the stress response and can result in disjointed memories within both the body and the mind. Working with the felt sensations of the body, in conjunction with more traditional talk based therapies, may help to create clarity within these disjointed memories. This systematic review was designed to explore the research question: What makes yoga a therapeutic intervention with survivors of sexual abuse? The review was set up using peer-reviewed articles and dissertations published after 2005. The databases PsycINFO, Alt HealthWatch …


The Felt Sense Of Interconnectedness: A Qualitative Analysis Of Perceptions On Finding Resilience In The Aftermath Of Trauma Using The Mind-Body Connections Of Yoga, Ashley Collette Jan 2015

The Felt Sense Of Interconnectedness: A Qualitative Analysis Of Perceptions On Finding Resilience In The Aftermath Of Trauma Using The Mind-Body Connections Of Yoga, Ashley Collette

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Members and veterans of the military are at an increased risk of exposure to traumatic experiences due to the very nature of their occupation. The most recent statistics on Canada’s deployment to Afghanistan show that 13.2% of the (Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members deployed have been diagnosed with a mental injury within a five year follow up period of redeployment from the theatre of operations. The present preliminary study was designed to examine Yoga as a therapeutic intervention for trauma in a population of CAF members and veterans. The author interviewed 4 service providers and 2 service users of Yoga-based …


Grant Application: Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba, Elizabeth Crawford, Faith Swenson, Angela Serrani, Kathleen Cassidy, Brittany Roy, Trixie Porter Sep 2014

Grant Application: Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba, Elizabeth Crawford, Faith Swenson, Angela Serrani, Kathleen Cassidy, Brittany Roy, Trixie Porter

Immigrant and Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga and Zumba

IPEC Mini-grant application for funding of UNE student project Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba. Students from multiple health professions collaborated to provide Yoga and Zumba classes at the Riverton Community Center. The project aimed to increase the participants’ ability to utilize stress reducing activities through a blend of student created heath education materials and yoga and zumba classes for refugee women and children.


The Use Of Yoga In Eating Disorder Treatment: Practitioners’ Perspectives, Jennifer E. Mcmahon May 2014

The Use Of Yoga In Eating Disorder Treatment: Practitioners’ Perspectives, Jennifer E. Mcmahon

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Eating Disorders are a growing mental health concern with serious consequences for those who struggle. The individual and complex nature of eating disorders presents a need for new, innovative treatment modalities. One such treatment that is gaining interest in the eating disorder field is the holistic modality of yoga. The benefits of yoga on mental health have been addressed in previous research. While previous research focuses on quantitative studies and outcomes of clients, this paper administers a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews done with licensed therapists and yoga instructors who practice yoga with the eating disorder population. The study focuses …