Valdesalici Alice, Cerea Silvia, Pecunioso Alessandra, Paoli Antonio, Grigolin Gioia, Nardelli Rosa, Armenti Alessandra, Ghisi Marta
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Front Psychol. 2024 Dec 12;15:1502426. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1502426. eCollection 2024.
Academic environments are known for their high demands, often resulting in significant distress among employees. Thus, identifying effective intervention strategies to mitigate workplace stress is essential. The present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of mind-body interventions (i.e., Yoga and Tai Chi) on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental and physical health of female university employees.
A total of 166 female university employees and faculty members participated in 10 sessions of Tai Chi or Yoga. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing ruminative thoughts, somatic anxiety, general distress, perceived physical and mental health, and assertive and cooperative behaviors before and after the 10 Tai Chi/Yoga sessions. Additionally, participants completed a state anxiety questionnaire before and after Tai Chi/Yoga second and second-to-last lessons.
Results showed significant differences between scores pre and post Tai Chi and Yoga programs, with lower ruminative thoughts ( = 0.007), lower somatic anxiety ( < 0.001), and higher perceived mental health ( = 0.038) at the end of the programs (i.e., after 10 sessions) compared to the beginning. Moreover, significant differences were found in state anxiety scores, with a reduction in state anxiety at the end of the second ( < 0.001) and second-to-last ( < 0.001) lessons compared to the start.
Our findings highlight the potential positive impact of Tai Chi and Yoga programs on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental health of female university employees. Immediate reductions in state anxiety following single sessions further underscore the potential of these practices for short-term stress relief. Overall, the results support the implementation of mind-body practices in workplace settings to promote a healthier work environment.
学术环境以其高要求而闻名，这常常给员工带来巨大压力。因此，确定有效的干预策略以减轻工作场所压力至关重要。本研究旨在评估身心干预措施（即瑜伽和太极）对女大学员工心理健康以及感知到的身心健康的潜在益处。
共有166名女大学员工和教职员工参加了10节太极或瑜伽课程。他们在10节太极/瑜伽课程前后完成了自我报告问卷，评估反刍思维、躯体焦虑、一般困扰、感知到的身心健康以及自信和合作行为。此外，参与者在太极/瑜伽第二节课和倒数第二节课前后完成了一份状态焦虑问卷。
结果显示，太极和瑜伽课程前后的分数存在显著差异，与课程开始时相比，课程结束时（即10节课后）反刍思维更低（=0.007），躯体焦虑更低（<0.001），感知到的心理健康更高（=0.038）。此外，状态焦虑得分也存在显著差异，与开始时相比，第二节课结束时（<0.001）和倒数第二节课结束时（<0.001）状态焦虑有所降低。
我们的研究结果突出了太极和瑜伽课程对女大学员工心理健康和感知到的心理健康的潜在积极影响。单次课程后状态焦虑立即降低，进一步强调了这些练习在短期缓解压力方面的潜力。总体而言，结果支持在工作场所实施身心练习以促进更健康的工作环境。
