EXPLORING RESEARCH-BASED YOGA INTERVENTIONS TARGETING UNDERSERVED WOMEN AND SEXUAL TRAUMA: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Author

Shannon Steele, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Year of Award

2018

Document Type

Professional Paper

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Health and Human Performance (Community Health Option)

Department or School/College

College of Education and Human Sciences

Committee Chair

Dr. Laura Dybdal

Commitee Members

Dr. Charles Palmer, Keri McWilliams

Keywords

yoga interventions, underserved women, sexual trauma, yoga, trauma, PTSD

Subject Categories

Community Psychology | Health Communication | Health Psychology | Theory and Philosophy

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Racial/ethnic, minority women of low socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected by sexual assault and are more likely to develop PTSD. Women’s social, economic and environmental circumstance may contribute to this disadvantage. Yoga has shown to reduce symptoms of PTSD in underserved women. However, it is unknown whether yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced sexual trauma in the research literature are theory-based and whether constructs are consistent across interventions. Furthermore, it is unknown whether existing trauma-based yoga training programs incorporate similar constructs found in yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced sexual trauma.

METHODS

A descriptive research design was used to better understand the theory and standardized framework, or lack thereof, behind yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced sexual trauma. Additionally, whether perceived “Gold Standard” trauma-based yoga training programs include constructs relevant to underserved women were explored.

RESULTS

Limited theory was used within yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced trauma. However, various isolated constructs related to theory were applied. There were more theoretical similarities than differences across yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced trauma. However, further research on yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced sexual trauma is needed. Currently, there is only one trauma-based training program, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY), that meets the perceived “gold standard” in the United States. Further, constructs applied in TSY may be too narrow to capture specific needs of underserved women who have experienced trauma.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Further research on yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced sexual trauma is needed to assess the effectiveness of theory-based interventions for this population. It is recommended that TSY and other “Gold Standard” trauma-based yoga training programs are adapted based on theory and theoretical constructs found in the research literature regarding effective yoga interventions for underserved women who have experienced trauma. Recommendations include adding constructs related to an ecological theoretical perspective, gender-responsive strategies, and constructs from trauma theory such as cognition and skill-building. Additionally, a program planning model such as a Generalized Model for Program Planning should be used throughout development, implementation and evaluation.

Recommended Citation

Steele, Shannon, "EXPLORING RESEARCH-BASED YOGA INTERVENTIONS TARGETING UNDERSERVED WOMEN AND SEXUAL TRAUMA: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY" (2018). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11196.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11196