Influence of general self-efficacy as a mediator in Taiji-induced stress reduction – Results from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim of the study: In this study we examined the effects of Taiji on perceived stress and general self-efficacy (GSE), and investigated the mediating role of a Taiji-induced GSE increase on Taiji-related reduction of perceived stress.Materials and methods: 70 healthy participants were randomly allocated either to the Taiji intervention group or the waiting list control group. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks comprising two Taiji classes per week. Before, shortly after, and two months after the intervention, we assessed the degree of perceived stress and GSE in all participants by employing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the GSE-Scale.Results: Compared to controls, participants of the Taiji group showed a significantly stronger decrease of perceived stress and a higher increase in GSE from pre-to post-intervention assessment (PSS: p = 0.009; GSE: p = 0.006), as well as from pre-intervention to follow-up assessment (PSS: p = 0.018; GSE: p = 0.033). A mediator analysis based on a multiple regression approach revealed that a Taiji-related increase in GSE statistically mediated the reduction in perceived stress after Taiji as compared to baseline. Post-hoc testing showed that the mediating effect of GSE was significant (p = 0.043).Conclusions: Our findings confirm previously reported Taiji-related stress reducing and GSE enhancing effects with GSE increase mediating Taiji related reduction of perceived stress.

Investigating short- and long-term transfer effects of a Taiji beginner course in participants' daily life

“…Specific mind-related transfer effects such as "increase of self-efficacy" and "improvement of stress management", which were the most frequently mentioned ones at tp1, were mentioned even more often at tp3 (see Table 2). This finding is in line with previous research that has shown immediate inhibiting effects of three months of Taiji training on psychobiological stress reactivity in healthy Taiji novices [15,24] . Furthermore, a prior study showed that a Taiji-induced reduction of perceived stress was mediated by an increase in general self-efficacy in response to the Taiji intervention, with participants reporting persistently increased general self-efficacy values two months after the intervention [24] .…”

“…This finding is in line with previous research that has shown immediate inhibiting effects of three months of Taiji training on psychobiological stress reactivity in healthy Taiji novices [15,24] . Furthermore, a prior study showed that a Taiji-induced reduction of perceived stress was mediated by an increase in general self-efficacy in response to the Taiji intervention, with participants reporting persistently increased general self-efficacy values two months after the intervention [24] . Our data now suggest that this also seems to be valid for a longer period of time: the prevalence of statements expressing an enhancement of self-efficacy in response to the Taiji intervention considerably increased over one year (see Table 3).…”

“…This in turn might build a variety of consequential personal resources (e.g., increased mindfulness, purpose in life, social support), potentially having a strong and lasting impact on participants' daily life [22] . The fact that we have found persistently increased values in selfreported self-compassion, mindfulness and general selfefficacy, as well as decreased values in perceived stress in Taiji course participants two months after course completion [23,24] supports the assumption that long-term effects of a Taiji intervention on participants' daily life might be reported one year after course completion.…”

Taiji - Ressourcenaktivierung und Stressprotektion durch Ruhe in Bewegung

“…Dabei wurde im Vergleich zur Warteliste-Kontrollgruppe (n = 31) in der Taiji-Kursgruppe (n = 28) ein überzufällig höherer Anstieg der Werte für erwartete allgemeine Selbstwirksamkeit und Achtsamkeit - sowohl unmittelbar als auch 2 Monate nach Kursende - beobachtet. Ebenfalls signifikant höher fielen die Anstiegswerte für Self-Compassion der Taiji-Kursabsolventen 2 Monate nach Kursabschluss aus [10,11]. Diese Studienergebnisse weisen auf eine nachhaltig ressourcenaktivierende Wirkung von Taiji bei gesunden, überwiegend erwerbstätigen männlichen und weiblichen Studienteilnehmern hin.…”

“…Bezüglich der Wirkung von Taiji auf das allgemeine Stressempfinden konnte in der Interventionsgruppe eine im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe signifikante Abnahme des Summenwertes auf der Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) von Beginn bis Ende der Intervention sowie 2 Monate danach gemessen werden. Eine Mediatoranalyse ergab, dass diese Taiji-bedingte Abnahme des allgemeinen Stressempfindens durch den Anstieg der allgemeinen Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung vermittelt wurde [10]. …”