Research Area
Exposure to Adverse Events and Associations with Stress Levels and the Practice of Yoga
Research Title
Exposure to Adverse Events and Associations with Stress Levels and the Practice of Yoga: Survey Findings from a Population-Based Study of Diverse Emerging Young Adults
Introduction
Adverse experiences such as childhood abuse, victimization, discrimination, and financial stress are highly prevalent social determinants of health. Individuals with histories of childhood abuse are at greater risk for suicide attempts,1 substance use,1 higher weight status,2 and cardiovascular disease.1,3 Racial discrimination and other stressful life events have likewise been linked to poor health outcomes, including mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease.4–7 A key mechanism by which adversities across the life course may influence health is through heightened stress, which can provoke both behavioral adaptations, such as use of drugs and alcohol to soothe distress, and cause direct physiologic maladaptation through wear and tear of organ systems involved in the stress response.8,9 Given the potential long-term impacts of exposure to adverse experiences, it is critical to ensure that individuals exposed to these experiences can access strategies for modulating their stress levels.
Abstract
This study examines the prevalence of exposure to adverse events and associations with stress levels among a diverse population-based sample of young people. The study further explores whether these vulnerable populations, who have the potential to benefit from the mind–body practice of yoga, engage in a regular yoga practice.
Conclusion
The high prevalence of exposure to adverse events and associations with higher levels of stress points to a need for public health interventions. Thus, it was promising to find that young people exposed to adverse events, who may have greater emotional burdens, practice yoga at equal or greater proportions to those without these exposures. Given the potential benefits of yoga for populations living with high stress, it is important to develop further outreach efforts and provide accessible, acceptable, and affordable opportunities for practicing yoga.
