Abstract MP43: Motivational Profiles Are Cross-sectionally Associated With Psychological And Physical Health Outcomes Among Young Adult Yoga Practitioners

Abstract

Introduction: The adoption of mind-body behaviors, such as yoga, in young adulthood may improve cardiovascular health trajectories through psychological (e.g., reduced stress) and physical (e.g., increased activity) pathways. Differences in personal characteristics, such as motivations for practicing yoga, may relate to differing psychological and physical health outcomes. However, little is known with regard to whether young adults’ yoga-related motivations cluster in latent patterns (i.e., motivational underpinning profiles) or if these profiles are associated with psychological factors and physical health behaviors. Hypothesis: Latent class analysis (LCA) will identify unique motivational profiles among a sample of young adults practicing yoga. Young adults whose yoga practice is internally motivated will be more likely to report positive psychological characteristics whereas external motivations for yoga will be more strongly associated with maladaptive physical health behaviors. Methods: Survey data were drawn from the fourth wave of a large, population-based study (Project EAT-IV; Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults). A subsample of 297 yoga practitioners (n=297; mean age=30.8±1.7 years; 79.7% female) reported (yes/no) on nine motivations for yoga items and LCA identified four distinct and mutually exclusive profiles based on previously unobserved combinations of internal and external motivational underpinnings. Cross-sectional associations between emergent LCA motivational profiles, psychological factors, and physical health behaviors were determined using general linear modeling (adjusted for gender, BMI, and race/ethnicity). Results: Across motivational profiles, most young adult yoga practitioners were motivated by stress reduction/relaxation and enhanced fitness. However, additional motivations for yoga differed in such that LCA characterized motivational profiles as “Low Appearance, Low Mindfulness” (Class 1; n=77), “Low Appearance, High Mindfulness” (Class 2; n=48), “High Appearance, Low Mindfulness” (Class 3; n=79), and “High Appearance, High Mindfulness” (Class 4; n=93). Having coexistent high mindfulness and low appearance motives (Class 2) was associated with higher body satisfaction in comparison to the other classes (p<0.001). Relative to Class 2, those with low mindfulness motives (Class 1; Class 3) reported less total physical activity (p=0.002) and those with high appearance motives (Class 3; Class 4) reported higher compulsive exercise scores (p=0.002). Conclusions: Yoga’s mind-body health properties may be harnessed to promote cardiovascular health. Although directionality cannot be assessed with this cross-sectional study, findings suggest that yoga programs for young adults emphasize the internal (mindfulness) rather than external (appearance) benefits of yoga to support a healthful practice.