Effect of Yogic Intervention in Psychological Wellbeing (parental

guilt, psychological distress, anxiety, and self-esteem) of Working

Mothers

Dissertation submitted by

SAYANI CHAKRABORTY

Under the guidance of

Dr. Balaram Pradhan

Mr. Mangesh Pandey

Towards the partial fulfillment of

Master of Science in Yoga M. Sc (Yoga)

JULY 2019 – JULY 2021

Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana

No. 19, Eknath Bhavan, Gavipuram Circle, Kempegowdanagar, Bangalore - 560019

India

1
 Declaration

I, Sayani Chakraborty, declare that this dissertation report entitled “Effect of Yogic Intervention

in Psychological Wellbeing (parental guilt, psychological distress, anxiety, and self-esteem)

of Working Mothers”, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of a

Master’s Degree in Yoga, SVYASA University, Bangalore 560019, is my original work. Wherever

contributions of others are involved, every effort is made to indicate this clearly, with due reference

to the literature, and acknowledgement of collaborative research and discussions and it has not

previously formed a basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associate-ship or fellowship or

any other similar title.

Sayani Chakraborty

MSc Yoga

Registration No. 40719143 / July 2019 batch

2
 Acknowledgment

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Almighty, my family, friends,

classmates, all my teachers and guides who helped me to complete this project.

I am genuinely grateful to Dr. Balaram Pradhan, Mr. Mangesh Pandey for their enormous guidance

and worthy experience throughout the project, and Dr. Promila Choudhary for her immense

encouragement and suggestions all these 2 years.

My sincere thanks to the participants of the project for being part of it, co-operating till the end of

the workshop, for sharing their data and valuable feedback.

I am deeply indebted to my friends who helped me a lot to gather participants, my family for their

support, and especially to my husband for contributing his experience and knowledge of the

research project.

Sayani Chakraborty

MSc Yoga

Registration No. 40719143 / July 2019 batch

3
 Standard Transliteration

Sanskrit Alphabets with English Transliteration

A Aa # $ % ^ \ ¤ @ @e Aae AaE
a ä i é u ü å ÿ e ai o au

A< A>
am aù

k o g " ' c D j H |
ka kha ga gha ìa ca cha ja jha ïa

q Q f F [ t w d x n
öa öha òa òha ëa ta tha da dha na

p ) b É m y r l v
pa pha ba bha ma ya ra la va

z ; s h ] } =

ça ña sa ha kña jïa '

4
 Abstract

Aim To assess the effects of Yogic Intervention on parental guilt, psychological distress, anxiety,

and self-esteem in working mothers.

Introduction Motherhood brings a lot of challenges especially for employed women worldwide.

They face difficulties both at home and at the workplace. Eventually, they end up with emotional

and psychological disturbances that lead to even compromise their career in some cases.

Methodology A sample of 39 working mothers (age 30 to 50) from different professions having

symptoms of guilt, distress, and anxiety, had participated in a Randomized controlled trial pre-post

experiment. They were allocated to the Yoga group (n = 22), had a 1-hour session, 5 days in a

week for 1 month, and to the Control group (n = 17) with no such intervention. The measures

included Guilt about Parenting Scale (GAPS), Kessler Psychological distress Scale K10,

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES).

Result showed significant difference in the reduction of parental guilt (p = .039), psychological

distress (p = .014), and anxiety (p = .012) when compared between yoga and control group. In the

case of self-esteem on average, the score had improved but was not significant enough.

Conclusion Regular practice of simple asanas with proper breathing, pranayamas, meditation, and

relaxation techniques improve the mental and psychological health of working mothers. Further

study is recommended with more sample count and comparative study between working and non-

working mothers can be executed.

Keywords Guilt about parenting, Kessler, employed, motherhood, dilemma

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 8
1.1. Working and Mother .................................................................................................................. 8
1.2. Parental Guilt ............................................................................................................................ 10
1.3. Psychological distress, Anxiety, Self-esteem ........................................................................... 11
1.4. Yoga and Mental Health........................................................................................................... 12
1.4.1 Yoga and Psychological Distress, Anxiety ...................................................................... 13
1.4.2 Yoga and Self-Esteem ....................................................................................................... 13
1.5. Need of the Study ...................................................................................................................... 14
2. Ancient Literature Review ............................................................................................................... 16
2.1. Mind and Its Characteristics ................................................................................................... 16
2.2. Definition of Stress .................................................................................................................... 19
2.3. Definition of Anxiety ................................................................................................................. 20
2.4. Definition of Guilt ..................................................................................................................... 21
2.5. Yoga and Mind .......................................................................................................................... 21
2.6. Different Aspects of Yoga to Control Mind ............................................................................ 23
2.6.1 Asana and Mind Control .................................................................................................. 23
2.6.2 Pranayama and Mind Control ......................................................................................... 24
2.6.3 Meditation, Nadanusandhana, and Mind Control ......................................................... 25
3. Review of Literature (Modern Scientific Research) ...................................................................... 27
4. Aim and Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 32
4.1. Aim ............................................................................................................................................. 32
4.2. Objectives................................................................................................................................... 32
4.3. Hypotheses ................................................................................................................................. 32
4.4. Null Hypotheses ......................................................................................................................... 33
5. Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 34
5.1. Sample ........................................................................................................................................ 34
5.1.1 Sample size ......................................................................................................................... 34
5.1.2 Source of the Sample......................................................................................................... 35
5.2. Inclusion criteria ....................................................................................................................... 35
5.3. Exclusion criteria ...................................................................................................................... 35
5.4. Design of the study .................................................................................................................... 35
5.5. Informed consent ...................................................................................................................... 37

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 5.6. Assessment Tools ....................................................................................................................... 37
5.7. Intervention ............................................................................................................................... 38
6. Data Extraction and Analysis .......................................................................................................... 41
7. Results ................................................................................................................................................ 44
7.1. Guilt about Parenting Scale GAPS.......................................................................................... 45
7.2. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS 21 - Anxiety.............................................................. 46
7.3. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale K10 ............................................................................... 47
7.4. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale RSES ........................................................................................ 48
8. Discussion........................................................................................................................................... 50
9. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 52
10. Appraisal........................................................................................................................................ 53
10.1. Strength of the Study ............................................................................................................ 53
10.2. Limitation of the Study ......................................................................................................... 53
10.3. Suggestion for Future Research........................................................................................... 54
11. Appendix ........................................................................................................................................ 55
11.1. Questionnaires ....................................................................................................................... 55
11.1.1. GAPS - Guilt About Parenting Scale .............................................................................. 55
11.1.2. DASS 21 – Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ................................................................... 55
11.1.3. K 10 – Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ................................................................... 55
11.1.4. RSES – Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale ............................................................................. 55
11.2. Pictures of Intervention ........................................................................................................ 56
12. Reference ....................................................................................................................................... 59
13. Plagiarism ...................................................................................................................................... 66

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 Chapter 1
1. Introduction

1.1. Working and Mother

“We still ask women to work like they don't have kids and to parent like they don't

work” – this one quote from the book Forget Having It All by American journalist and

author Amy Westervelt summarizes the working mothers’ dilemma (Westervelt, 2018).

Motherhood is a great yet challenging phase in a women’s life. It becomes more

complex and critical for the working mothers who are chasing to balance the job they want

and raising the kids that they envisaged (Ziegler, 2020). Social norms limit women’s work

domain to the domestic services which are considered as their foremost responsibilities and

this is innate in our society irrespective of the region, culture, or religion (Miller & Borgida,

2016). As referred by Poduval & Poduval (2009), based on the “the Family and Medical

Leave Act of 1993”, the United States of America, the role of a mother in childcare and

family is recognized as primary and superior to men and these dual responsibilities affect

the career of females than their male counterparts. Most of the time, they are in a dilemma

between choosing their family and kids over their profession or vice versa. In such

scenarios, “making a choice is the most difficult thing, and the hardest part is living the

choices amidst the everyday guilt, judgment and the chaos of daily life” (Sharma & Dhir,

2019).

Because of this multiple role-juggling, working mothers face parental guilt,

burnout, physical and mental stress. According to a survey, roughly 9.8 million working

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mothers in the U.S, are suffering from burnout out of 35 million working mothers. Just

being employed mothers, women experience 28% more burnout than fathers (Leonhardt,

2020). Another survey by Manchester University and Essex University on UK Household

discovered that working mothers with one child record 18% more stress than others and

working women with two children, had 40% higher stress in comparison (Reilly, 2019).

Being a part of the study, Researcher Chandola affirmed that work-family conflict results

in elevated psychological strain, higher level of stress along with a lower level of well-

being. Professor Rae Copper from the University of Sydney agreed with the previous

survey outcomes, asserting that the survey findings are also applicable for Australian

working mothers (Reilly, 2019).

The situation is the same in India too. During this pandemic, the situation gets

worse. According to the LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index, roughly 31% of working

mothers are currently providing childcare full-time, as compared to only 17% of working

fathers. Based on a recent survey by LinkedIn on Indian professionals, more than 44% of

working mothers are working outside their business hours to provide childcare, nearly

twice as many men (25%). To be more specific, 46% of working mothers report working

till late to make up for work, and 42% are unable to focus on work with their children at

home (Mathur, 2020).

In the end, it seems like working mothers are standing in two boats, which slowly

drains out their physical, mental, emotional, and psychological well-being and they end up

with a high level of stress, parental guilt, anxiety, and maybe low self-esteem.

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1.2. Parental Guilt

Guilt is a feeling, emotion, or mood in which one experiences conflict of doing

something that one believes one should not have done or vice versa, and this feeling does

not disappear or vanish very easily. This can be explained as the unconscious force within

the individual that contributed to illness (Buber, 1957).

Many working mothers scrutinize themselves by focusing too much on the word

‘should’. This one word makes working mothers feel guilty in both ways – for working

and for not. At the workplace, they feel like they should be at home taking care of kids,

and at home, they feel like they should be more productive in the office (Ziegler, 2020).

The daily struggle of trying to find a balance between home lives and work lives, all while

dealing with the guilt, is a reality that many working women face (Chalofsky, 2003; Grant-

Vallone & Ensher, 2011). As observed by Weis (2015), they feel guilty while leaving the

kids at home, missing their daily activities, not spending enough time to console them when

required, and so on. Those who keep their kids to a caregiver or child care center even feel

guiltier and worried about their safety and security (Mann & Thornburg, 1987).

Even our society criticizes working mothers for not giving adequate time to

childcare, which causes more guilt in women. Employers also consider them as less

efficient and less competent for new roles or promotions etc (Cuddy & Wolf, 2013). Not

only the society and the employer perceive women differently, when she enters into the

phase of motherhood, but also women weigh themselves up as solely responsible for

unhappiness, dissatisfaction or problems of their children (Poduval & Poduval, 2009).

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 They conclude that it is their duty to remove all obstacles coming in the path of children’s

life (Adhikari, 2012).

As a result, there is a rising trend of working mothers sacrifice their careers, their

passion due to such guilt, dilemma, and lack of self-confidence (Sharma & Dhir, 2019).

According to a recent study by Ashoka University, in India, 73% of women discontinue

their jobs on giving birth, 50% of them resign from jobs at the age of 30 to bring up their

children. If the population somehow manages to return, 48% of them quit within four

months of rejoining (Quint, 2018).

1.3. Psychological distress, Anxiety, Self-esteem

Psychological distress or mental distress can be described as emotional suffering

or unpleasant feelings that a person may have in their daily life. Most of the time, it is

related to stressors such as workplace stress, family stress, relationship stress, and

challenging situations which are difficult to cope with on daily basis. It simultaneously

affects the reaction and the way of interaction with the surrounding (Arvidsdotter et al.

2016).

Anxiety can be explained as the bodily response to distress or stress includes the

feeling of uneasiness, worries, and overreaction to a subjectively threatening situation.

Bodily response accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, breathlessness, and

problems in concentration. (Bouras & Holt, 2007; American Psychiatric Association,

2013)

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 Self-esteem is one of the psychological constructs, which refers to an individual’s

subjective sense or evaluation of their worth (Snyder & Lopez, 2009). Moreover, it is

already registered that a high level of self-esteem is interlinked with positive health (Orth

& Robins, 2014).

Arvidsdotter et al. (2016) explained psychological distress as an imbalance between

the self and the ideal self that breaks down one’s self-esteem. This imbalance was described

in three aspects: struggling to cope with daily life, inferiority feeling, and losing control

over life. In due course, this daily struggling with self may lead to dissatisfaction and lack

of control over self and nearby. Working mothers face the same pressure especially because

of their perceived feeling of neglecting motherly roles (Poduval & Poduval, 2009).

While playing this dual role, working mothers experience high demanding

situations both in the work field and at home but insufficient support from the employer

side and home because of the nuclear family. This gradually triggers parental guilt which

influences their mood, increases stress and anxiety, interrupts sleep, disrupts their presence

of mind (Poduval & Poduval, 2009; Ziegler, 2020).

1.4. Yoga and Mental Health

Yoga is a holistic approach of not only physical but mental, social, and spiritual

well-being that focuses on the mind and its functions along with the body (Bhagat, 2018).

Its multi-dimensional mind-body practices include loosening exercises, physical postures,

breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, meditation, and the cultivation of positive

thought processes, attitudes, and lifestyles.

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1.4.1 Yoga and Psychological Distress, Anxiety

Previous research has shown that Iyengar Yoga has a significant effect on distressed

women from declining their stress, anxiety, depression, and improving psychological well-

being (Michalsen et al., 2012). Even there is proof of the efficacy of individualized yoga

practice to reduce anxiety, depression along with existing treatment (de Manincor et al.,

2016). Hatha Yoga practices including forward-backward bending, standing postures,

breathing exercises, inversions, relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, and culturing positive

attitudes towards life are useful to improve anxiety, stress, and depression (Shohani et al.,

2018).

Again further studies have demonstrated the notable effect of Yoga Nidra in

reducing stress for working mothers. Yoga Nidra is a meditation technique including

muscle relaxation, breathing practices, imagination, and resolve making, which provide

deep relaxation and experimentally has proven to reduce stress levels (Deuskar, 2010).

1.4.2 Yoga and Self-Esteem

There are multiple pieces of evidence of improving self-esteem starting from school

students (Bridges & Madlem, 2007), adolescents (Janjhua et al., 2020), university students

(Dol, 2019), or middle-aged women’s (Junkin, 2007) life after introducing yoga module as

an intervention. The practice of a holistic approach of Yoga, including physical practices

(asanas) associated with breathing practices (pranayamas) and meditation techniques, has

a definite correlation with positive self-esteem and enhanced psychological well-being

(Golec de Zavala et al., 2017).

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1.5. Need of the Study

Different qualitative and quantitative studies measured either parental guilt or

maternal guilt in a specific context like the guilt of mothers in the military domain (Tucker

& Kelley, 2009) or mothers having kids in childcare (Mann & Thornburg, 1987) or guilt

related to unhealthy child feeding practices (Pescud & Pettigrew, 2014). But all these

measures have limited impact and are not very generalized. Finally, author Haslam et al.

(2020) come up with a generic measuring scale to validate the parental guilt phenomenon

empirically. So in that context, this measuring tool GAPS (Guilt about Parenting Scale) is

comparatively new and less used in the research world. It was a good opportunity and

something unique to use this scale for this study purpose.

As per my search on different scientific literature, mostly this study is the first

attempt to find out the benefit of Yoga in improving parental guilt levels. Yoga is a lifestyle

mostly concerned with mind-body composition and promotes positive health for both the

physical and mental ones, unlike other conventional treatments (Stephens, 2017). So, it is

much more captivating and accepted by many people as an intervention. Considerable

researches have explored the significance of Yoga on psychological distress, anxiety, and

self-esteem on various kind of population, significantly fewer studies have focused on

working mothers from varying profession regarding this.

We already discussed that lot of research papers talked about the feeling of guilt

which leads to a high level of stress, anxiety, and in some cases depression, psychological

disorder especially in working women rather than men (Rani & Bhuvaneswari, 2014). It

was already concluded that employed mothers age between 34 to 43 years, experience

14
maximum stress coping with children, responsibilities of the husband, in-laws, as well as

at the workplace (Arvidsdotter et al., 2016). They may be at prominent risk of

psychological distress because of such prolonged stress, constant demands of time and

energy and this can be a threat to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The

initiative should be taken at the early stage to avoid such disorder (Deuskar, 2010).

So the center of attention of this study is working mothers and this research is an

attempt to provide relaxation and positive thoughts through Yoga intervention to manage

their guilt, upgrade their psychological well-being.

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 Chapter 2
2. Ancient Literature Review

2.1. Mind and Its Characteristics

Mind is what makes the personality of a person. A demotivated mind makes a

person depressed and a motivated mind makes a person joyous and optimistic. Mind is

such a powerful tool, if one can control it, he or she can do wonders in every phase of his

or her life.

Taittiriya Upanisad has presented the concept of Pancha Koshas (five sheath or layers).

The third layer of them is Manomaya Kosha or ‘mental sheath’ consists of the mind and

the five senses of perception together. Mind is described as a conglomeration of thoughts

that respond to the input through sense organs and interprets them as good or bad and

desires the good. Then the rapid cycling of thoughts takes place to fulfill that desire, which

is called emotions. When these emotions become powerful, they start governing our actions

against what is right, which causes stress. So this mental sheath is the origin of desire,

stress, anxiety, and other psychological turbulence.

In Kathopanishad shloka 1.3.3 defines the Mind as follows

AaTman~ riwt< iviÏ zrIr~ rwmev tu,

buiÏ< tu sariw< iviÏ mn> à¢hmev c. 3.

Atmänað rathitaà viddhi çarérað rathameva tu |

Buddhiaà tu särathiaà viddhi manaù pragrahameva ca || 3 ||

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Atman is known as the lord of the chariot, the body as the chariot, intelligence is known as

the driver, the mind is depicted as the reins, and horses represent the sense organs. A

controlled and organized mind can keep all the horses focused and guide them to move in

one right direction, loose mind would create chaos.

In Bhagavad Gita, verse no 6.34 Arjuna talks about the characteristics of the mind

cÂl< ih mn> k«:[ àmaiw blvdœ †Fm!,

tSyah< in¢h< mNye vayaeirv suÊ:krm!. 34.

Caïcalaà hi manaù kåñëa pramäthi balavad dåòham |

Tasyähaà nigrahaà manye väyoriva suduñkaram || 34 ||

The mind is very restless, turbulent, obstinate, and very strong, O Krishna and to subdue it

is, it seems to me, more difficult than controlling the wind.

In the following verses (Bhagavad Gita, verse no 6.35, 6.5, and 6.6) Krishna advises the

power of the Mind,

ïI Égvan! %vac

As<zy< mhabahae mnae ÊinR¢h< clm!,

A_yasen tu kaENtey vEraGye[ c g&ýte. 35.

Çréi bhagavän uväca

Asaàçayaà mahäbäho mano durnigrahaà calam |

Abhyäsena tu kaunteya vairägyeëa ca gåihyate || 35 ||

17
Lord Krishna said, O mighty-armed son of Kunti, what you say is correct; it is undoubtedly

that mind is very difficult to curb and is restless, but it is possible by constant suitable

practices of meditation and by detachment.

%ÏredaTmnaTman< naTmanmvsadyet,
!

AaTmEv ýaTmnae bNxuraTmEv irpuraTmn>. 5.

bNxuraTmaTmnStSy yenaTmEvaTmna ijt>,

AnaTmnStu zÇuTve vteRtaTmEv zÇuvt!. 6.

Uddharedätmanätmänaà nätmänamavasädayet |

Atmaiva hyätmano bandhurätmaiva ripurätmanaù || 5 ||

Bandhurätmätmanastasya yenätmaivätmanä jitaù |

Anätmanastu çatrutve vartetätmaiva çatruvat || 6 ||

Must elevate yourself through the power of your mind, and not degrade yourself, the mind

is the friend of the conditioned soul and also the enemy of the self as well. For those who

have conquered the mind, it is the best of friends but for those who have failed to do so,

his very mind will be the greatest enemy.

In Ayurveda (Sushruta Samhita verse 15.38) also, pleasant mind has considered as an

element in the definition of health,

smdae; smai¶í smxatu mli³y>,

àsÚaTmeiNÔy mn> SvSw #TyiÉxIyte. 38.

Samadoña samägniçca samadhätu malakriyaù |

Prasannätmeindriya manaù svastha ityabhidhéyate || 38 ||

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The proper balance of the three doshas (vata-pitta-kapha), agni (digestive fire and metabolism),

dhatu (the seven elements) and malakriya (excretion of wastes), and pleasantness of the atma

(self), indriya (sense organs), and manas (mind) constitutes a svastha.

2.2. Definition of Stress

Ancient Indian text Yoga Vasistha defines the concept of

“Aaixja Vyaix ädhijä vyädhi”

This translates into “bodily disease or Vyadhi born out of mental unrest or Adhi”, which

signifies that the symptoms are at the physical level but roots at the mental level called

stress.

In Yoga Vasistha (Nirvana Prakarana, 81st Sarga, and Verse 14) it is mentioned,

dehÊ>o< ivÊVyaRix< AaXyaOy< vasnamym!,

Dehaduùkhaà vidurvyädhim ädhyäkhyaà väsanämayam |

Physical distress is Vyadhi and Adhi is of the form of mental residua or Vasana.

In Bhagavad Gita, verse number 2.62 and 2.63, it is very nicely explained how stress

generates from attachment towards some person or some object and takes control over the

mind and ruins the intellect

Xyaytae iv;yaNpu<s> s¼Ste;Upjayte,

s¼aTs<jayte kam> kamaT³aexae=iÉjayte. 62.

³aexaÑvit sMmaeh> sMmaehaTSm&itivæm>,

Sm&itæ<zaÓ‚iÏnazae buiÏnazaTà[Zyit. 63.

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 Dhyäyato viñayänpuaàsaù saìgasteñüpajäyate |

Saìgätsaïjäyate kämaù kämätkrodho'bhijäyate || 62 ||

Krodhädbhavati sammohaù sammohätsmåtivibhramaù |

Småtibhraàçädbuddhinäço buddhinäçätpraëaçyati || 63 ||

While contemplating on the objects of the senses, one develops attachment for them, and from

such attachment desire or lust develops, and from desire arises anger. From anger, delusion

(clouding of judgment) arises, which results in bewilderment of the memory. When the

memory is bewildered, the intellect gets destroyed; and when the intellect is destroyed, one

falls again into the material pool.

2.3. Definition of Anxiety

In Bhagavad Gita, verse number 1.28 and 1.29, Arjuna describes the symptoms of anxiety

while standing in between two armies in Kurukshetra,

sIdiNt mm gaÇai[ muo< c pirzu:yit. 28.

vepwuí zrIre me raemh;Rí jayte ,

ga{fIv< ö<ste hStaÅv‹E v pirdýte. 29.

n c z²aeMyvSwatu< æmtIv c me mn> ,

Sédanti mama gäträëi mukhaà ca pariçuñyati || 28 ||

Vepathuçca çarére me romaharñaçca jäyate |

Gäëòévaà sraàsate hastättvakcai va paridahyate || 29 ||

Na ca çaknomyavasthätuaà bhramatéva ca me manaù |

20
My limbs are giving way and my mouth is drying up. My whole body is trembling; my hair is

standing on end. My bow, the Gāṇḍīva, is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning all

over. My mind is in quandary and whirling in confusion; I am unable to hold myself steady

any longer.

2.4. Definition of Guilt

In Bhagavad Gita, verse number 1.43, depicts the feeling of guilt when Arjuna has to fight

against his family members, relatives, and Gurus

%TsÚk…lxmaR[a< mnu:ya[a< jnadRn,

nrke=inyt< vasae ÉvtITynuzuïum. 43.

Utsannakuladharmäëäà manuñyäëäà janärdana |

Narake'niyataà väso bhavatétyanuçuçruma || 43 ||

O Janardan (Krishna), I have heard from disciplic succession that those who destroy family

traditions dwell in hell for an indefinite period.

2.5. Yoga and Mind

In most of the ancient literature, Yoga is defined as the skillful science of gaining mastery over

our mind by balancing our body and breath. Let’s look at some definitions of Yoga from those

scriptures.

In Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.2, Yoga is defined as follows:

yaegiíÄv&iÄinraex>. 2.

Yogaçcittavåttinirodhaù || 2 ||

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Yoga (yogaḥ) is the cessation (nirodhaḥ) of the modifications or fluctuations (vṛtti) of the mind

(citta) and gain control over the mind.

Yoga Vasistha 3.9.32 portrayed the essence of Yoga very beautifully,

mn> àsmnaepay> yaeg #TyiÉixyte.

Manaù prasamanopäyaù yoga ityabhidhiyate ||

Yoga is a skillful trick to calm down the mind.

Kathopanisat 2.5.4 defines Yoga as,

ta< yaegimit mNyNte iSwrimiNÔyxar[am!

Täà yogamiti manyante sthiramindriyadhäraëäm

Yoga is a state of mastery over Indriyas, the senses, and the mind.

In the Bhagavad Gita, it is noteworthy that Yoga is described as a state of mind, which is not

affected by the dualities of life—happiness and sorrow, winning and losing, etc.

yaegSw> k…é kmaRin s¼< Ty´va xnÃy,

isÏ(isÏ(ae> smae ÉUTva smTv< yaeg %Cyte . 48.

Yogasthaù kuru karmäni saìgaà tyaktavä dhanaïjaya |

Siddhyasiddhyoù samo bhütvä samatvaà yoga ucyate || 48 ||

Bhagavad Gita 2.48, Perform action O Dhananjaya, abandoning attachment, being steadfast

in Yoga, and balanced in success and failure. Such evenness of mind is called Yoga.

22
 yaeg> kmRsu kaEzlm!,
Yogaù karmasu kauçalam |

Bhagavad Gita 2.50, Yoga is the dexterity in action; skill is achieved by maintaining evenness

of mind while acting. This dexterity is in maintaining relaxation and awareness in action.

Relaxed action is the process.

2.6. Different Aspects of Yoga to Control Mind

In Bhagavad Gita 6.17, it is defined that by being temperate in bodily activities and practicing

Yoga, one can become free from the sorrows of the body and mind.

yu´aharivharSy yu´ceòSy kmRsu,

yu´SvßavbaexSy yaegae Évit Ê>oha. 17.

Yuktähäravihärasya yuktaceñöasya karmasu |

Yuktasvapnävabodhasya yogo bhavati duùkhahä || 17 ||

But those who are temperate in habits of eating and recreation, balanced in work, and regulated

in sleep, can mitigate all sorrows by practicing Yoga.

2.6.1 Asana and Mind Control

In Hatha Yoga Pradipika verse 1.17, it is found that by developing control on the body

through asana, the mind is controlled,

hQSy àwma<gTvadasn< pUvRmuCyte,

k…yaRÄdasn< SwEyRmaraeGy< ca<gla"vm!. 17.

Haöhasya prathamäìgatvädäsanaà pürvamucyate |

Kuryättadäsanaà sthairyamärogyaà cäìgaläghavam || 17 ||

23
Before everything, asana is spoken of as the first part of Hatha Yoga. Having done asana

one gets steadiness (firmness) of body and mind, diseaselessness, and lightness or

flexibility of the limbs.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.48, describes the effect of Asana to get release from the dualities

of mind, for example, pleasure and pain, heat and cold, joy and sorrow, honour and

dishonour, and eventually experience unalloyed happiness,

ttae ÖNÖaniÉ"at>. 48.

Tato dvandvänabhighätaù || 48 ||

From then on, the sadhaka is undisturbed by dualities. Then the mind, which is at the root

of dualistic perception, loses its identity and ceases to disturb.

2.6.2 Pranayama and Mind Control

Hatha Yoga Pradipika verse 2.2, mentions the intricate connection between prana and

mind, the mind is automatically controlled by controlling the prana,

cle vate cl< icÄ< iníle iníl< Évet,

!

yaegI Swa[uTvmaßaeit ttae vayu< inraexyet.

! 2.
Cale väte calaà cittaà niçcale niçcalaà bhavet |
Yogé sthäëutvamäpnoti tato väyuà nirodhayet || 2 ||

When prana moves or is irregular, the mind also moves, becomes unsteady. When prana is

without movement or still, so is the mind. This steadiness of prana helps the yogi to attain

steadiness and should thus restrain the Vayu.

24
Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.52-2.53, explains the effectiveness of Pranayama to steady the

mind,

tt> ]Iyte àkazavr[m!. 52.

xar[asu c yaeGyta mns>. 53.

Tataù kñéyate prakäçävaraëam || 52 ||
Dhäraëäsu ca yogyatä manasaù || 53 ||

Pranayama helps to destroy ignorance, desire, and delusion and thus removes the covering

that hides the light of the intelligence. Pranayama becomes an instrument to steady the

mind which becomes fit for concentration.

2.6.3 Meditation, Nadanusandhana, and Mind Control

In Bhagavad Gita verse 6.20, it has mentioned the effect of practicing Yogasana with one-

pointed concentration, controlling all thoughts and activities as follows

yÇaeprmte icÄ< inéÏ< yaegsevya,

yÇ cEvaTmnaTman< pZyÚaTmin tu:yit. 20.

Yatroparamate cittaà niruddhaà yogasevayä |

Yatra caivätmanätmänaà paçyannätmani tuñyati || 20 ||

When the mind, restrained from material activities, becomes still by the practice of Yoga,

then the yogi can behold the soul through the purified mind, and he rejoices in the inner

joy.

25
Hatha Yoga Pradipika verse 4.91, defines that sound is the most powerful medium to

pacify the restless mind,

mnaemÄgje<ÔSy ib;yae*ancair[>,

smwaeR=y< inymne innadinizta<k…z>. 91.

Manomattagajendrasya biñayodyänacäriëaù |
Samartho'yaà niyamane ninädaniçitäìkuçaù || 91 ||

The mind, which is like a furious elephant roaming in the garden of the senses, is controlled

by the sharp goad of nada. The fluctuations of the mind get stopped and the mind and body

become completely subdued.

26
 Chapter 3
3. Review of Literature (Modern Scientific Research)
S. Reference Sample Design Tools Intervention Variables Results % of Limitations
No Improveme
nt in
Intervention
Group
1 Deuskar, 95 married Randomly Smith Stress 30 sessions of half Stress, all the 12 Significant As the sample
2010 working assigned Symptoms an hour Yoga subscales of the improvement was limited to
mothers Inventory Nidrā, Blood Stress Symptoms in reduction female
who are Experimental (SSSI) pressure, Inventory showed of Stress, participants,
primary group (N = Delivered via a a decrease with Blood cannot be
school 42) pre-recorded plasma the practice of Pressure. generalized to
teacher audiotape, glucose, Yoga Nidrā, the male
age group Control population
of 30 to 45 group (N = Over a one-and-a- hemoglobin Significant
years 53), no half month period reduction for both For the control
treatment in a residential systolic as well as group no other
program diastolic blood substitute task
pressure (p <.01) was given, so the
effect of the
Hemoglobin passage of time
showed a rise in alone cannot be
the experimental ignored.
group (p <.05)
The study was
not double-blind,
the therapist’s
presence affects
the experimental
group to some
extent.

A sample Quasi- DASS-21 Hatha yoga for 4 Depression, After 12 sessions Significant The study was
2 Shohani et of 52 Experimental (Depression weeks (3 Anxiety, of regular hatha improvement done only on
al., 2018 women study with Anxiety times/week; 60-70 Stress yoga practice, in reduction women, no men
from Ilam, pre-post Stress Scale- min each) by a Depression, of stress, have been
Iran during design 21) specialist anxiety, and anxiety, and studied. So
2014 to stress decreased Depression. cannot
2015. significantly in generalize for
Mean age women (p < .001) the men
of 33.5 ± population.
6.5
27
3 Shin, 2020 Sample of Pilot study Short-Form In house health Quality of All parameters Significant The sample size
14 Health Survey care program for 8 Life, including SF-36, improvement is very small and
Working (SF-36), weeks, NPRS, BDI, BAI in Anxiety, no control group
Mothers includes Depression, were significantly Depression, was there.
Beck psychiatrist improved (p < Pain
Age Depression consultation ( once Anxiety, .05) except the intensity, and
between 35 Inventory a week), physical Quality of
to 43 (BDI), physical therapy ( Pain component Life
3 times a week) intensity summary (PCS)
Location Beck Anxiety and group value of SF-36
Korea Inventory discussion after intervention
(BAI),
Numeric Pain
Rating Scale
(NPRS)
4 de A sample Two-group Depression 6-week Primary -- Statistically For The majority of
Manincor of 101 randomized Anxiety individualized Depression, significant (p = depression, participants
et al., people with controlled Stress Scale yoga practices Anxiety, .03), differences the score of presented with
2016 symptoms trial design, (DASS-21), include physical Stress in DASS total 15 comorbidity of
of postures and score for the participants elevated scores
depression Yoga plus Kessler movement, Secondary - Yoga group (37.5%) in on both
and/or treatment-as- Psychological breathing - the yoga depression and
anxiety usual (TAU) Distress Scale exercises, Psychologic K10, SF12 mental group anxiety. The
intervention (K10), relaxation, al Distress, health, SPANE, returned to extent to which
group, mindfulness and SF12 FS, and resilience the normal individualized
Short-Form meditation, and Physical scores (p < .01 for range, yoga protocols
Waitlist plus Health Survey other aspects of Health, each). compared to targeted
TAU control (SF12), yoga practice such SF12 7 (16.7%) in depression,
group. as the cultivation Mental Differences in the control anxiety, or
Scale of of positive values, Health, Stress and SF12 group. comorbidity is
Positive and thoughts and Positive and physical health unclear.
Negative attitudes, and Negative scores were not For anxiety,
Experience lifestyle factors. experience, statistically the score of All
(SPANE), Psychologic significant. 13 measurements
1-hr al participants were self-
Flourishing consultations/lesso wellbeing, (36.1%) in reported and
Scale (FS), ns over 6 weeks, in Resilience the yoga collected by the
this session the group yoga teachers
Connor- yoga protocol is returned to providing the
Davidson developed or the normal intervention
Resilience modified based on range,
Scale (CD- the participants' compared to
RISC2) condition. 11 (25.0%)
in the control
group

28
5 Michalsen A sample 3-armed Cohen Yoga group 1 - Stress For yoga groups, Significant Modest sample
of 72 distre randomized Perceived Iyengar style yoga perception, significant improvement sizes and no
et al., ssed controlled Stress Scale with twelve 90 min improvements in in all long-term
2012 females trial – (CPSS), sessions over 3 State trait perceived stress, variables. follow-up.
was months, anxiety, state-trait anxiety,
divided Yoga group Spielberg depression, Measurements
into three 1, State-Trait Yoga group 2 - Depression, psychological were self-
groups Yoga group Anxiety Iyengar style yoga QOL, mood states reported, so
with n = 2, Inventory with 24 sessions Psychologic being, and bodily impossible to
24 in each Waiting list (STAI), over 3 months al and complaints when blind.
control group physical compared to
Profile of quality of controls Recruitment of
Mood States life, self-described
(POMS), distressed
Profile of women.
Brief Mood
Symptom States,
Inventory
(BSI), Wellbeing,
36-Item-Short Bodily
Form (SF-36), complaints
Bf-S Zerssen
well-being
scale

6 Dol, 2019 A sample Yoga Nidra 10 cm Visual Bi-weekly, 1-hour Life stress The result shows Significant Small sample
of 40 group n = 20, Analog Scale Yoga Nidra intensity, a significant improvement size so cannot
university session for 8 (p<.001) decrease in reduction generalize.
students, control group Rosenberg's weeks Self-esteem in life stress of stress and
36 female, n = 20 Self-Esteem promotion of Selection bias
4 male Scale Significant self-esteem. was there.
(p<.001) increase
in self-esteem for No assigned task
the intervention for the control
group compared group.
to the control
group.

7 Janjhua et A sample Yoga group Rosenberg Practicing hatha Emotional Yoga intervention The result No such
al., 2020 of 110 n = 52, Self Esteem yoga regulation, has enhanced shows a limitation is
adolescents Scale, emotional significant mentioned in the
, control group Self-esteem, regulation, self- increase in paper.
Age n = 58, never Emotion esteem, and self-esteem
between 13 practiced Regulation Feeling positive feelings and other
and 18 yoga Scale, among the sample variables.
practicing yoga

29
 66.36% Feeling State
Male, Assessment
33.64%
Female

8 Kumar, A sample Experimental Not The experimental Regression Significant The result No such
2013 of 110 group n = 80 mentioned in group practiced change at 0.01 shows a limitation is
college (40 male 40 the paper Yoga Nidra for 30 Guilt significant levels significant mentioned in the
students female), minutes along with in the Regression decrease in paper.
from P.G. regular yoga for both the male both
yoga control group classes (‘t’ value is 2.48) regression
classes n = 30 (15 and female (‘t’ and guilt
male, 15 Duration was 6 value is 2.74) levels of the
At Yoga female) months subject of the male and
Arogya experimental and female
Polyclinic The Control group control group. subjects.
of Dev did regular yoga
Sanskriti but no session of Also significant
Vishwavid Yoga Nidra change at 0.01
yalaya significant levels
in the Guilt for
both the male (‘t’
value is 3.75) and
female (‘t’ value
is 4.62) subject of
the experimental
and control
group.

9 Javnbakht A sample The Spielberg 90 min yoga class, Anxiety Significant Significant The study only
et al., of 65 experimental State-Trait twice a week, for decrease in state reduction in conducted on
2009 females group (n=34) anxiety two months Depression anxiety (p=0.03) perceived females, so
having inventory and trait anxiety levels of cannot
symptoms Control (p<0.001) when anxiety in generalize for
of anxiety group 21-item Beck compared yoga to women. male.
and (n=31), depression the control group.
depression, assigned to a inventory Sample size was
were waiting list, (BDI) Statistically not large.
referred to not received insignificant
a yoga any yoga decrease in No practice
clinic session depression assigned to
(p=0.13) control group, so
cannot deny the
chance of
confounding
variable.
10 Ponte et A sample A WHOQOL- One 60 minutes Quality of After 24 weeks, Significant The study had
al., 2019 of 167 prospective, BREF session per week life significant improvement used
30
 individuals longitudinal, for 24 consecutive improvements in quality of convenience
was quasi- DASS-21 weeks and follow Depression, were identified in life and a sampling instead
screened experimental up Anxiety, the yoga group reduction of of a
based on study and Stress psychologica nonrandomized
age, Reduction in l distress. design, which
gender, and Yoga group levels of can introduce
other (n = 49) stress (p = 0.004) sampling bias.
factors to , anxiety (p =
evaluate Control 0.010), Sample size was
the efficacy group (n = depression (p ≤ small.
of yoga at 37) 0.001), and
the primary all domains of It was not a blind
care level. quality of life (p study, so
<0.05) susceptible to
confounding
factors.
11 Michalsen A sample A controlled Cohen Iyengar hatha yoga Stress, Significant All variables No
et al., of 24 prospective Perceived class twice- improvements for including randomization
2005 females non- Stress Scale, weekly, 90-min Anxiety, the yoga group in stress, and self-referred
who self- randomized each for 3-months. perceived stress anxiety, sample can
referred study State-Trait Depression, (P<0.02), State depression, promote
themselves Anxiety and Trait Anxiety cortisol level sampling bias.
as Intervention Inventory, Well-being, (P<0.02 and had reduced
emotionall (n = 16) and P<0.01, significantly The sample size
y distressed a control Profile of Cortisol respectively), is also very
group (n = 8) Mood States, level well-being Well-being small.
(mean age (P<0.01), had
37.9+/-7.3 CESD- depression improved as
years) Depression (P<0.05). well.
Scale,
Also, Salivary
Bf-S/Bf-S' cortisol decreased
Well-Being significantly for
Scales, the yoga group
(P<0.05).
Freiburg
Complaint
List and
ratings of
physical well-
being
Salivary
cortisol levels

31
 Chapter 4
4. Aim and Objectives

4.1. Aim
This study aims to assess the effects of the yogic intervention on parental guilt,

psychological distress, anxiety, and self-esteem in working mothers.

4.2. Objectives

 The objective of the study is to provide a 4-week Yogic intervention to such working

mothers who are facing symptoms of parental guilt, psychological distress, and anxiety in

their daily life.

 Investigate the effectiveness of the intervention in the reduction of parental guilt,

psychological distress, and anxiety.

 Also, observe the effects of intervention in the promotion of self-esteem for the sample.

4.3. Hypotheses

The alternate hypothesis (Ha) is that after providing a month of Yogic intervention

to working mothers, their parental guilt, psychological distress, and anxiety will be

reduced.

The alternate hypothesis (Ha) is that after providing a month of Yogic intervention

to working mothers, their self-esteem will be increased.

32
4.4. Null Hypotheses

The null hypothesis (H0) is that after providing a month of Yogic intervention to

working mothers, their parental guilt, psychological distress, and anxiety level will remain

the same.

The null hypothesis (H0) is that after providing a month of Yogic intervention to

working mothers, their self-esteem will remain the same.

33
 Chapter 5
5. Methodology

5.1. Sample

 Participants are working mothers from different fields.

 Age Range: 30 – 50 years

 Profession/Job Profile: IT Professional/Private firm, Teacher/Professor, HR/Admin, Staff

Nurse, Bank Employee, Central Govt. Employee, Ph.D. Scholar, Freelancer/Social

Welfare

 Age of Kids: Varies from toddlers to college students.

 Experience in Yoga: Only 7 participants had experience of yoga before but at present not

practicing regularly.

 Working Pattern: Most of them are doing work from home, and few of them have to go out

because of their type of job profile.

 Health Issues: Neck pain, Back pain, Anxiety, Overweight, Thyroid are the most common

ailments reported by the sample.

5.1.1 Sample size

A total of 52 participants (N=52) were enrolled for the workshop, but out of them,

6 participants were excluded based on exclusion criteria. At the end of the one-month

session, there were 22 participants in the experimental group (yoga group n = 22), 17

participants in the control group (control group n=22) and 7 participants had dropped out

from the experiment (dropped n = 7).

34
 5.1.2 Source of the Sample

A small poster of a one-month free workshop along with a registration form was

shared in social contacts (office colleagues, friends, and relatives) to recruit the participants

and finally screened through questionnaires and respective scores.

5.2. Inclusion criteria

Working mothers from any profession and ages between 30-50 years were selected

based on the criteria of two parameters, the participants’ score for the Guilt about Parenting

Scale (GAPS) and the Psychological Distress Scale. For GAPS, if they were having a 30

and above score along with a K10 score of the mild or moderate level they were accepted

for the study.

5.3. Exclusion criteria

Mothers who were housewives, post-partum, or mothers of newborns or if not

matching the selection criteria score, excluded from the study.

5.4. Design of the study

This study is a Randomized control trial with a Pre-Post Experimental design,

having two groups Intervention Group and Control Group. It assesses the effect of Yoga

on variables parental guilt, psychological distress, anxiety, and self-esteem.

All the variables are measured through 4 different questionnaires which were filled

up by the participants before and after the intervention and the final assessment is done

within the same group with pre-post values and in between two groups (intervention and

control) as well.

35
 Total N = 52
Experimental Group (Yoga intervention Group) n= 22
Control group (Not giving any intervention) n = 17
Excluded = 6
Dropped Out = 7

Total Registration for Screening (n = 52)

Excluded by Exclusion Criteria

(n=6)

Housewife / Homemaker (n=4)

Age of Kids < 1 year (1)
Assigned in Two Groups (n=46) Assessment Scores are Normal (1)
Experimental Group (n=28)
Control Group (n=18)

Experimental Group (n=28)

 Pre Data Collection Control Group (n=18)

 1 month (4 weeks) Yoga intervention
 5 days in a week  Pre Data Collection
 Loosening Practices, Simple Asanas,  No intervention was given
Pranayamas, Breathing techniques,  Post Data Collection after 1 month
Meditation and Relaxation techniques  Dropped out - 1
 Postfew
Data Collection
 Dropped out - 6
few

Final Analysis (n=39)

Experimental Group (n=22) Control Group (n=17)

Flow chart of the Experiment

36
5.5. Informed consent

The statement for the informed consent was: “I understand that it is my

responsibility to inform and be honest about my health and medical conditions that may

restrict me from participating in practices.

I hereby acknowledge that I have given my consent to use my score data for the

purpose of MSc in Yoga research study on Working Mothers under SVYASA Yoga

University, Bangalore.”

5.6. Assessment Tools

Assessment is based on the questionnaire consisted of four self-reporting tools:

 Guilt about Parenting Scale (GAPS) consists of ten questions with a seven-level response

scale to measure the experience of parenting guilt. Studies suggest that GAPS is a

“promising tool” for parenting guilt assessment which highlights the influence of work and

family conflict faced by parents (Haslam & Finch, 2016; Haslam et al., 2020).

 Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21) is a combination of three self-report scales

used to measure the states of depression, anxiety, and stress, developed by Lovibond and

Lovibond. It contains seven questions for each sub-item and the participant has to mark it

on a four-level scale. In this study, only the anxiety part has been used. The anxiety scale

assesses situational anxiety, autonomic arousal, subjective experience of anxious affect

(Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). This scale is broadly used to evaluate the symptoms of

mental suffering in both clinical and non-clinical adult samples (Hmwe et al., 2015; Del

Brutto et al., 2015; de Manincor et al., 2016; Shohani et al., 2018; Ponte et al., 2019).

37
 Kessler-Psychological-Distress-Scale-K10 involves ten questions about emotional states

each with a five-level scale to measure psychological distress, is designed by Professor

Ronald C. Kessler (Kessler et al., 2002). It can be useful to determine levels of distress.

This scale is a reliable, well-validated, and extensively used mental health screening tool

(Andrews & Slade, 2001; Kessler et al., 2003). Evidence indicates that this scale is also

useful for a short-term measure of anxiety along with distress (Perini et al., 2006; de

Manincor et al., 2016).

 Rosenberg_Self-Esteem Scale The scale was designed by Morris Rosenberg in the 1960s

for high school students from 10 different schools in New York State. Since then the scale

has been used widely for 50 long years to measure self-worth and self-esteem by estimating

both positive and negative feelings about self for the adult population. The scale is having

ten items with a four-point Likert scale. The scale has proven high reliability and validity

across many studies irrespective of the sample’s gender, age, or ethnicity (Rosenberg,

1965; Dol, 2019).

5.7. Intervention

1 hour Yoga class, 5 days in a week, continued for 1 month or 4 weeks.

The module is defined below –

3 rounds of deep breathing and Opening Prayer 2 min

Loosening practices 8 min

1. Neck,
Up down 5 rounds 1 min
Right left 5 rounds 1 min
2. Shoulder rotation
Clock-wise 5 rounds 1 min

38
 Anti-clockwise 5 rounds 1 min
3. Wrist movement
Up down 5 rounds 1 min
Rotation – clock anti-clock 10rounds
4. Waist movement
Forward backward 5 rounds 1 min
5. Hip rotation 5 rounds 1 min
6. Ankle
Up down 5 rounds 1 min
Rotation – clock anti-clock 10 rounds
7. Twisting 5 rounds 1 min

Breathing Practices 18 min

Standing
1. Hands in and out 5 rounds 2 min
2. Ankle stretch 5 rounds 2 min
3. Ardhakathichakrasana 5 rounds 2 min
Sitting
4. Sasankasana 5 rounds 2 min
5. Tiger 5 rounds 2 min
Prone
6. Bhujangasana 5 rounds 2 min
Supine
7. Single Leg raising practices 5 rounds 2 min
8. Cycling 5 rounds 2 min
9. Lumber stretch
with folded leg 5 rounds 2 min

Quick Relaxation Technique (QRT) 4 min

Pranayama 15 min

1. Nadisudhhi 9 rounds 5 min

39
2. Bhramari 9 rounds 5 min

Meditation 5 min

Nadanusandhana, AUM chanting 3 rounds each 5 min

Deep Relaxation Technique (DRT) 8 min

Closing Prayer

40
 Chapter 6
6. Data Extraction and Analysis

Data was collected through the four self-reporting questionnaires before and after the

period of intervention. Participants’ scores on each were assessed to detect any changes from

baseline using the numerical and categorical scales (low, medium, and high) for each tool. Below

are the four measuring tools – described one by one:

GAPS – Measure the Guilt about Parenting Variable (Haslam & Finch, 2016; Haslam et al.,
2020)

 There are a total of 10 questions and participants marked each question from range 1 to

7 (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree).

 Then sum all the items and total range can vary from 10 -70.

 A higher score specifies a higher level of parental guilt.

K10 – Measure the level of psychological distress (Kessler et al., 2003)

 There are a total of 10 questions and participants marked each item from 1 to 5 ( ‘none

of the time’ to ‘all of the time’)

 Then sum all the items and total range can vary from 10 -50.

 Low scores specify low levels of distress and high scores specify high levels of distress.

 K10 Score Interpretation as per The 2001 Victorian Population Health Survey

41
  10 - 19 Likely to be well
 20 - 24 Likely to have a mild disorder
 25 - 29 Likely to have a moderate disorder
 30 - 50 Likely to have a severe disorder

DASS 21 - Measure the emotional state of Anxiety (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995)

 There are a total of 7 questions for anxiety and participants marked each item from 0 to

3 ( ‘Did not apply to me’ to ‘Applied very much or most of the time’)

 Then the scores of all 7 items are summed and multiplied by 2 to calculate the final

score.

 Low scores indicate low levels of anxiety and high scores indicate high levels of anxiety.

 Recommended cut-off scores for conventional severity labels (normal, moderate, severe)

are as follows:

 0-7 Normal
 8-9 Mild
 10 - 14 Moderate
 15 - 19 Severe
 20+ - Extremely Severe

RSES – Measure self-esteem by measuring both positive and negative feelings about the
self (Rosenberg, 1965)

 There are a total of 10 questions and participants marked each question from range 0 to

3 (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree).

 Items 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 are reverse scored for this questionnaire. So the range shuffled from 3

to 0 (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree).

42
  After reverse scoring, all the items are summed.

 A higher score indicates higher self-esteem.

For each questionnaire, I had a set of pre-intervention and post-intervention data from

which I finally calculated the mean score, standard deviation of pre and post-data for both the

Intervention and Control groups. Then performed a t-test to calculate the p-value for the following

two scenarios and based on the value; it could be concluded if the intervention was significant.

1. Within the same group (pre and post data) – Paired sample t-test

2. Between the groups (intervention and control) – Two-sample equal variance

t-test

Calculation of Mean, Standard Deviation, and p-Value was done in Microsoft excel and a

corresponding graph was also generated. It was expected that Post-intervention, the parameters of

guilt, distress, and anxiety levels would be reduced and self-esteem would be promoted.

43
 Chapter 7
7. Results

Table 1a: Summary - Demographic Details of Samples

Yoga Group (n=22) Control Group (n=17)

Range 31 - 46 years Range 30 - 50 years

Age
Average age 35 years Average age 35 years

2 kids (8) 2 kids (2)

Number of Kids
1 kid (14) 1 kid (15)

Age of Kids Range 1 - 21 years Range 1 - 28 years

Teacher / Professor (2)

Teacher / Professor (8)
IT (8)
IT (8)
HR/Admin (2)
Profession Staff Nurse (3)
Ph.D. Student (1)
HR/Admin (2)
Bank (1)
Social Worker / Self Employed (1)
Self Employed (3)

Working Hours Range 5 -10 hours Range 4 -10 hours

Yes (12) Yes (11)

Work From Home
No (8) No (4)
Status
Sometimes (2) Sometimes (2)

Already Practicing Yes (6) Yes (0)

Yoga No (16) No (17)

Hypothyroidism, Neck pain,

Lower Back pain, Back pain,
Migraine, Lumbar spondylitis,
Common Health
Diabetes, Depression and Anxiety,
problems
Knee pain, Overweight,
Asthma, Knee pain
Hip joint pain Asthma

44
 Table 1b: Summary – Measuring Variables of both Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group (CG)

Yoga Group (n=22) Control Group (n=17) p-value

Before After Before After between
p-value p-value groups
(Mean±SD) (Mean±SD) (Mean±SD) (Mean±SD)
Guilt About
Parenting Scale 48.27±8.38 42.05±9.20 .006 < .05 46.29±4.09 47.12±3.67 .412 .039 < .05
(GAPS)

Depression Anxiety
Stress Scale 21 – 12.82±6.28 8.55±4.91 .003 < .05 12.71±4.79 12.35±3.82 .565 .012 < .05
(DASS 21 ) Anxiety

Kessler
Psychological 25.23±4.17 18.36±5.57 .0001 < .05 23±2.96 22.53±4.19 .569 .014 < .05
Distress Scale (K10)

Rosenberg Self-
17.09±4.41 18.32±3.40 .072 16.41±2.43 16.71±1.76 .440 .084
Esteem Scale (RSES)

7.1. Guilt about Parenting Scale GAPS

For the yoga group, post-intervention of yoga, results showed a statistically significant (p

= .006) difference in before and after GAPS scores. For the Control group, no statistically

significant (p = .412) difference was observed in before and after GAPS scores.

There was no significant difference in before scores between groups but there was a

statistically significant (p = .039) difference in after scores between groups.

Table 1: Mean and SD of Parental Guilt of Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group (CG).

p-value
Guilt Yoga Group (n=22) Control Group (n=17)
between groups
About
Before After p-value Before After p-value
Parenting
Scale 48.27±8.38 42.05±9.20 .006 < .05 46.29±4.09 47.12±3.67 .412 .039 < .05

45
 Figure 1: Change scores of Guilt about Parenting Scale of Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group

(CG)

7.2. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS 21 - Anxiety

For the yoga group, post-intervention of yoga, results showed a statistically significant (p

= .003) difference in before and after DASS21-Anxiety scores. For the Control group, no

statistically significant (p = .565) difference was observed in before and after DASS21-

Anxiety scores.

There was no significant difference in before scores between groups but there was a

statistically significant (p = .012) difference in after scores between groups.

Table 2: Mean and SD of Anxiety of Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group (CG).

Depression p-value
Yoga Group (n=22) Control Group (n=17)
Anxiety between groups
Stress Scale Before After p-value Before After p-value
21 -
12.82±6.28 8.55±4.91 .003 < .05 12.71±4.79 12.35±3.82 .565 .012 < .05
Anxiety

46
 Figure 2: Change scores of DASS 21 - Anxiety Scale of Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group

(CG)

7.3. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale K10

For the yoga group, post-intervention of yoga, results showed a statistically significant (p

= .0001) difference in before and after K10 scores. For the Control group, no statistically

significant (p = .569) difference was observed in before and after K10 scores.

There was no significant difference in before scores between groups but there was a

statistically significant (p = .014) difference in after scores between groups.

Table 3: Mean and SD of Psychological Distress of Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group (CG).

p-value
Kessler Yoga Group (n=22) Control Group (n=17)
between groups
Psychological
Before After p-value Before After p-value
Distress
Scale K10 25.23±4.17 18.36±5.57 .0001 < .05 23±2.96 22.53±4.19 .569 .014 < .05

47
 Figure 3: Change scores of Kessler Psychological Distress K10 Scale of Yoga Group (YG) and

Control Group (CG)

7.4. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale RSES

For the yoga group, post-intervention of yoga, results showed no statistically significant (p

= .072) difference in before and after RSES scores. For the Control group, no statistically

significant (p = .440) difference was observed in before and after RSES scores.

There was no significant difference in before scores between groups and there was no

statistically significant (p = .084) difference in after scores between groups as well.

Table 4: Mean and SD of Self-esteem of Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group (CG).

p-value
Yoga Group (n=22) Control Group (n=17)
Rosenberg between groups
Self-Esteem Before After p-value Before After p-value
Scale
17.09±4.41 18.32±3.40 .072 16.41±2.43 16.71±1.76 .440 .084

48
Figure 4: Change scores of Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale of Yoga Group (YG) and Control Group

(CG)

49
 Chapter 8
8. Discussion

The motive of this work was to explore the efficacy of 4 weeks of yoga intervention

in the reduction of parental guilt, psychological distress, anxiety level, and improvement

in self-esteem for working mothers. Probably, this was the first trial to reduce the parameter

parental guilt by giving yogic intervention to working mothers.

The findings of the research exhibit that regular yoga practice is beneficial to get

rid of parental guilt. The benefit was statistically significant when compared with before

data and also when compared with the control group.

The overall result also suggests the effectiveness of yoga intervention in the

reduction of symptoms of psychological distress and anxiety level as well in working

mothers. The outcome was statistically significant in both cases.

In the present study, though the participants had moderate guilt, anxiety, and

distress level; their self-esteem was not very low. The pre-data (before intervention) was

on average to the normal level. Post-intervention, there were improvements in the average

value but that improvement was not statistically significant.

The output of the study supports the previous studies by Shohani et al., (2018) who

observed a decline in stress, anxiety, and depression levels in women from yoga

intervention. It also confirms the findings by Ponte et al., (2019) who evaluates the efficacy

of yoga at the primary care level and finds out a significant reduction of psychological

distress in a sample of the yoga group.

50
 Many studies proposed possible biological and psychological theories behind the

mechanisms of how yoga works on mental health. Among those theories most popular are

- yoga helps to maintain a balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous

system and to regulate HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) axis which helps to deal

with stressors (Kinser et al., 2012; Gard et al., 2014). The practice of Yoga increases GABA

levels in the brain which can be considered as a treatment for anxiety and depression

disorder (Streeter et al., 2007). Also According to the neurological perspective, body

awareness during yoga practices increases the thalamus, primary sensory organs

stimulation which is related to positive mental health (Schmalzl et al., 2015).

51
 Chapter 9

9. Conclusion

This study demonstrated a reduction in parental guilt, distress, and anxiety levels

after completing a one-month yoga workshop by working mothers from different

professions and varying ages 30 to 50. The result suggests that to take out some time for

yourself and simple practice of Sukshma Vyamas (loosening practices), Asanas,

Pranayamas (Mindful breathing), Meditation, and Relaxation techniques can help to

improve the emotional and psychological well-being of working mothers.

But the working mothers who are struggling to cope up with many things and

having a moderate level of guilt, anxiety, and stress; may not always translate into low self-

esteem. They are having guilt while keeping their baby at home and leaving for work but

at the same time, they enjoy their own identity as well. That can be the reason for their

normal self-esteem on average.

Reduction of back pain, neck pain, and improving sleep quality were mentioned as

additional health benefits by the sample.

52
 Chapter 10

10. Appraisal

10.1. Strength of the Study

The key strength of the present work is that as per my knowledge and review of

scientific literature this is the first initiative to evaluate the effectiveness of Yogic

intervention on parental guilt in working mothers and the result was significant.

The profession of the mothers are from varying domain and their status of doing

work from home or not, along with their different working hours provide reasonable

generalizability of findings in terms of the type of profession they are occupied.

10.2. Limitation of the Study

The significant reduction in parental guilt, psychological distress, and anxiety by

self-reporting from participants indicates that yoga helps in reducing these parameters and

leads to better psychological health. But the study has its limitations as well.

The study happened online, so only questionnaires could be used for data collection

and no other physical parameter or clinical diagnosis can be arranged. The analysis was

done based on the self-reporting measurements so the outcomes can be biased.

No other substitute task and no personalized interaction with the teacher like the

intervention group, so less control over them which cannot be ruled out.

A small sample size which leads to uneven distribution in intervention and control

group is another limitation as a large sample can provide more reliable and accurate data.

53
10.3. Suggestion for Future Research

The present study showed the subjective improvement in guilt, psychological

distress, and anxiety which was self-reported by the participants. Future studies can verify

the non-self-report measures like a clinical diagnosis of anxiety level, energy level.

Some other parameters also can be included especially sleep disorder or insomnia

which was commonly mentioned by most of the participants.

This study can be done on non-working mothers as well and can go for a

comparative study between working and non-working mothers. In that study, we can again

check self-esteem for a better understanding of the parameter. Such intervention may be

beneficial in the larger population and from a different region to establish the findings as

generic.

54
11. Appendix

11.1. Questionnaires

11.1.1. GAPS - Guilt About Parenting Scale

GAPS_Guilt About Parenting Scale.pdf

11.1.2. DASS 21 – Depression Anxiety Stress Scale

DASS 21_Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.pdf

11.1.3. K 10 – Kessler Psychological Distress Scale

K10_Kessler Psychological Distress Scale.pdf

11.1.4. RSES – Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

RSES_Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale.pdf

55
11.2. Pictures of Intervention

A small collage of all participants

Pictures of batch-wise classes

56
57
58
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13. Plagiarism
6 % Plagiarism was found by Grammarly

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