Effect of Yoga Practice on Mental Health, Anxiety and Mental Depression of Graduate College Students

Abstract

The study investigates the impact of regular yoga practice on mental health, anxiety, and mental depression among graduate college students. A sample of 60 students from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar City, aged 20-24 years, was divided into two groups: regular yoga practitioners (n=30) and non-regular yoga practitioners (n=30). The research employed validated tools, including the Mental Health Inventory (MHI), Sinha’s Comprehensive Anxiety Test (SCAT-SS), and the Mental Depression Scale (MDS), to assess the dependent variables. Results revealed that regular yoga practitioners demonstrated significantly better mental health (M = 134.25, SD = 4.25) than non-practitioners (M = 121.05, SD = 3.87), with a t-value of 12.57 (p < 0.01). Similarly, anxiety levels were significantly lower in the yoga group (M = 28.79, SD = 3.50) compared to non-practitioners (M = 37.68, SD = 4.19), with a t-value of 8.91 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, mental depression scores were markedly reduced in regular practitioners (M = 31.93, SD = 4.15) compared to non-practitioners (M = 40.01, SD = 4.62), as indicated by a t-value of 7.12 (p < 0.01). These findings highlight yoga’s significant role in enhancing mental well-being, alleviating anxiety, and reducing depressive symptoms among graduate students. The study concludes that incorporating yoga into daily routines is a promising strategy for promoting mental health and emotional resilience in young adults.