Effectiveness of a yoga program in decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms among women in Gaza strip
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JAES.6.3.5-12Keywords:
Yoga-based intervention, Anxiety, Depression, Women’s mental health, Gaza Strip, Quasi-experimental design, Mind–body therapyAbstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of a yoga-based therapeutic program in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among women in the Gaza Strip, a context characterized by chronic psychosocial stressors and limited access to mental health services. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre–post control group approach. A total of 70 participants were randomly assigned into experimental (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. Standardized instruments were utilized, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
The intervention consisted of a structured 12-session yoga program integrating breathing techniques, physical postures, relaxation, and mindfulness-based practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 26), applying parametric statistical tests, including paired and independent sample t-tests, as well as ANOVA.
The findings revealed statistically significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms among the experimental group compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05), with large effect sizes (η² = 0.81 for anxiety; η² = 0.79 for depression). Furthermore, follow-up results indicated sustained improvements one month after the intervention. No statistically significant differences were found across demographic variables, suggesting the program’s broad applicability.
The study concludes that yoga-based interventions represent a cost-effective, scalable, and culturally adaptable approach for improving mental health outcomes among women in high-stress environments. The findings hold important implications for integrating mind–body interventions into community mental health frameworks, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
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