The Mediation Role of Yoga in The Relationship Between Personality Types and Anxiety/Depression

Abstract

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the results of the mediating effect of yoga between personality types and anxiety and depression. Today, anxiety and depression are the primary psychological disorders that are encountered very commonly. For this reason, it is intended to evaluate the results of the supportive effect of yoga on the basis of personality traits. Within the scope of study, “Personality Types Inventory (Big5)”, “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)” and “Yoga Self-Efficacy Scale (YSES)” were used and a survey consisting of these scales was applied to 165 people. In order to ensure that the concepts used in Yoga Self-Efficacy Scale are understood clearly, participants are consisted of the individuals practicing yoga. The confirmatory factor analysis and the structural equation model analysis were performed on the data obtained in order to investigate the mediating effect. In addition, Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients of each scale and their dimensions were calculated to test the reliability of the study. Accordingly, Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficients of all scales and the sub-dimensions of scales are included in the “highly reliably” scale. As the result of the analyses, the singular relationships between scales in the model used in the study were investigated. In the singular relationships, a negative relationship was found between hospital anxiety and depression scale and yoga scale. Practicing yoga may reduce the predisposition to anxiety and depression. In addition, it has been found that yoga has a mediating role between the predispositions of the extrovert (EXT), agreeable (AGR) and self-confident (CON) people, among personality types, to anxiety and depression.