Evaluating the Efficacy of Yoga Intervention in Reducing Anxiety among Young Adults: A Pre-Post Experimental Study in Jaipur
Keywords:
Anxiety, Depression, Jaipur, Mental Stress, Pranayam, Students, Yoga Intervention, Young AdultsAbstract
Mental health concerns among young adults have surged globally, with anxiety emerging as a leading issue. In urban academic settings, such as Jaipur, academic pressure, digital stress, and career uncertainty significantly elevate anxiety levels. While pharmacological interventions exist, growing interest in holistic, non-invasive alternatives – particularly yoga – offers a culturally rooted option. Yoga integrates physical postures (asanas), controlled breathing (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) and is widely recognized for its stress-relieving effects. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured yoga intervention in reducing anxiety among 250 undergraduate and post-graduate students from Jaipur. A pre-test post-test quantitative design was employed, using the beck anxiety inventory before and after a 6-week yoga program comprising asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Stratified random sampling ensured gender and academic stream representation. Statistical analysis included paired sample t-tests, regression analysis, and gender-based comparisons using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results revealed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety scores, with the mean score declining from 69.98 (pre-intervention) to 59.90 (postintervention), a reduction of 10.08 points. The paired t-test yielded t = 19.84 (P < 0.001), confirming the intervention’s effectiveness. Regression analysis demonstrated a high predictive value (R2 = 0.792), with students exhibiting higher baseline anxiety benefiting most. Gender-based analysis showed a marginally greater reduction among females, but this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), indicating equal effectiveness across genders. The study affirms yoga as an effective, low-cost, and inclusive intervention for reducing student anxiety. It advocates the integration of yoga-based mental health modules into higher education frameworks through institutionalizing yoga in curricula, establishing campus wellness centers, mandating mental health screenings, training peer mentors, and collaborating with national yoga bodies for standardized delivery.
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