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Mediators between Yoga Practice and Psychological Well-Being: Mindfulness, Body Awareness and Satisfaction with Body Image

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Mediators between Yoga Practice and Psychological Well-Being: Mindfulness, 
Body Awareness and Satisfaction with Body Image 
Benedek T. TIHANYI, Petra BÖŐR, Lene EMANUELSEN & Ferenc KÖTELES Contact / Kontakt / Kapcsolat
EJMH Vol 11 Issue 1-2 (2016) 112–127; https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.11.2016.1-2.7
Received: 6 February 2015; accepted: 8 October 2015; online date: 8 April 2016
Section: Short Communications
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Abstract

Regular yoga practice was connected to higher levels of psychological well-being in cross-sectional
and longitudinal studies. However, the psychological mechanisms of this connection are still
unexplained. In the present cross-sectional questionnaire study, hypothesised mediating effects of
body awareness, satisfaction with body image, and mindfulness were investigated. 203 healthy
adults (183 females, mean age: 36.8 ± 10.03 years) practicing yoga at an advanced level were
involved in the study. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing body awareness
(BAQ), dissatisfaction with body image (BIQ), mindfulness (MAAS) and well-being (WHO-5).
Body awareness, body image dissatisfaction and mindfulness showed significant correlations with
the weekly frequency of yoga practice as well as with psychological well-being. Body awareness,
body image and mindfulness mediated the connection between yoga practice and well-being. In
the regression analysis, body image dissatisfaction and body awareness remained connected to
well-being even after controlling for practice frequency, mindfulness, gender and age. According
to these results, body awareness, body image satisfaction and mindfulness are mediators of the
connection between yoga practice and well-being.

Keywords

body awareness, body image, body-mind, mindfulness, physical activity, well-being,
yoga

Corresponding author

Dr. Ferenc KÖTELES,
Institute for Health Promotion and Sport Sciences,
Eötvös Loránd University,
Bogdánfy Ödön u. 10.
H-1117 Budapest,
Hungary
koteles.ferenc@ppk.elte.hu

Co-authors

 

Benedek T. TIHANYI: Semmelweis Egyetem, ÁOK Magatartástudományi Intézet; Hungary

Petra BÖŐR: Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem, Pszichológia Intézet; Hungary

Lene EMANUELSEN: Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem, Pszichológia Intézet; Hungary