Yoga as Complementary Care for Young People Placed in Juvenile Institutions—A Study Plan

Abstract

Recent studies have established yoga practice as a mainstream complementary clinical tool within correctional environments. It is shown that regular yoga practice is coupled with improved impulse control, sustained attention, attenuated antisocial and self-harm behaviors, reduced stress, and psychological distress. No academic research until now has provided evidence of mental health benefits of yoga for institutionalized young people. In Sweden, each year more than thousand adolescents receive compulsory care at juvenile institutions run by the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care. These young people are characterized by substance abuse, aggressive and antisocial behaviors, high frequency of self-harm, and the experience of abuse. Most of them manifest attention problems, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity. They have a dramatically increased risk for recidivistic criminal behavior, continuous medical, and social care and untimely death. The present study plan aims at evaluating, with previously validated psychological measures, in a quasi-experimental design, the effects of yoga practice for institutionalized adolescents. Adolescents' experiences of participating in yoga practice will also be assessed by semi-structured individual interviews. Ethical approval was given by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. It is hypothesized that yoga practice (in combination with the standard treatment within institutional care) will reduce institutionalized adolescents' aggression, antisocial behavior, anxiety, depression, and negative affect, and increase their cognitive flexibility (in the form of increased impulse control).

Aggressive behavior, boredom, and protective factors among college students during closed-off management of the COVID-19 pandemic in China

“…Proactive aggression that is proactive increases the individual's level of arousal and draws the attention of others. When compared to people with high CFI-Alternatives, they are more likely end up choosing to commit proactive aggression due to a greater focus on short-term positive emotional experiences (Garivani et al, 2021;Kerekes, 2021;Scheinost et al, 2021). Furthermore, although positive emotions do not trigger aggressive behavior (Burgdorf and Panksepp, 2006), the pleasurable experience and the rapid high arousal of aggression may also be an important factor in triggering aggression (Ramírez et al, 2005;Roberton et al, 2012).…”

Effect of Yoga Intervention on Problem Behavior and Motor Coordination in Children with Autism

“…Yoga practice (combined with standard therapy in institutional care) is anticipated to diminish aggression, antisocial behavior, anxiety, depression, and negative affect in institutionalized youth, concurrently enhancing their cognitive flexibility [37]. Yoga mitigates the adverse impact of behavioral disorders on children and adolescents, consequently reducing tendencies toward aggression and violence [38].…”

Effects of a 12-Weeks Yoga Intervention on Motor and Cognitive Abilities of Preschool Children

“…It is possible that yoga might help improve executive functions, spatial memory scores, strategic planning and the ability to concentrate. It is shown that regular yoga practice is coupled with the improved impulse control, sustained attention, attenuated antisocial and self-harm behaviors, reduced stress, and psychological distress ( 9 ), as well as with the positive impact to concentration, attention and behavior ( 10 ). These improvements may reflect underlying improvements in motor planning, motor speed, and hand steadiness.…”