Positive Psychological Effects of School-Based Yoga and Mindfulness Programs for At-Risk Hispanic Adolescents

This quasi-experimental study investigates differences in the impact of school-based yoga interventions and mindfulness practices on psychological well-being impact factors in at-risk Hispanic adolescent high school students compared to similar students enrolled in traditional physical education classes. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, experimental conditions were delivered virtually. The BRUMS and PANAS-C were utilized to assess psychological well-being constructs of mood and affect. Statistical analyses included Friedman’s test for nonparametric data, comparisons of pre post change scores between yoga and physical education classes, and longitudinal data trends for each subscale from the study’s inception to conclusion. The findings show that school-based yoga participants exhibited higher levels of improved mood and affect with large effect sizes than those enrolled in a standard physical education (PE) class during the 12 weeks of the intervention. Implications and further directions are discussed.