EFFECT OF HATHA YOGA ON SELF-PERCEPTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN NURSING STUDENTS

November 5, 2026 updated by: Ezgi Eyiler, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

THE EFFECT OF HATHA YOGA ON SELF-PERCEPTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN EMERGING ADULTHOOD

Emerging adulthood is a developmental phase situated between adolescence and adulthood, characterized by an intensive process of identity formation, the pursuit of independence, the assumption of responsibilities, and decision-making regarding the future. During this period, individuals encounter significant changes across various domains, including their educational journey, career planning, social relationships, and economic independence. In addition to the developmental characteristics inherent to emerging adulthood, nursing students face professional stressors such as a heavy academic workload, clinical practicums, direct involvement in patient care, responsibilities concerning patient safety, and the fear of making errors. The literature indicates that nursing students experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and psychological distress compared to university students in other disciplines. Consequently, the psychological well-being and a robust sense of self/identity among nursing students are of critical importance-both for the students themselves and for the individuals under their care. Given the implications for human and public health, the significance of research, projects, and investments in this area is evident.

This study is designed to evaluate the impact of Hatha Yoga practice on the self-perception and psychological well-being of nursing students in the stage of emerging adulthood. The study will be conducted within the Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University. The sample will consist of nursing students who meet the inclusion criteria and consent to participate in the study. Participants will be divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The sample size was calculated using the G*Power 3.1.9 software; accounting for potential attrition, the study is planned to be conducted with a total of 60 participants, consisting of 30 individuals in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. Students in the intervention group will engage in Hatha yoga for eight weeks, following a structured program, while students in the control group will continue with their routine educational activities without receiving any intervention. Data will be collected at three distinct time points: before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three months post-intervention. The instruments used for data collection will include a "Descriptive Information Form," the "Multidimensional Self-Perception Scale," and the "Psychological Well-Being Scale." The primary outcomes of the study are the students' self-perception and levels of psychological well-being. Data obtained from the study will be analyzed using the SPSS software package.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Center
      • Afyonkarahisar, Center, Turkey (Türkiye), 03030
        • Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Health Sciences
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Emine KOL, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 29 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • To be a nursing student at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University
  • To be between the ages of 18 and 29
  • To agree to attend 16 sessions of Hatha yoga practice regularly

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having a physical or sensory impairment
  • Practicing yoga regularly
  • Receiving psychological or psychiatric support

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group
Experimental: Hatha Yoga Group
Behavioral: Hatha Yoga

Participants in the intervention group will receive a structured Hatha yoga program for 8 weeks, consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week (16 sessions in total). The sessions will include physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and relaxation practices. The intervention will be conducted in a designated setting under the supervision of a yoga instructor. The program aims to improve self-perception and psychological well-being among nursing students in emerging adulthood.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Self-perception
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 8), and 2-month follow-up after the intervention (approximately Week 16-17).

Self-perception will be assessed using the Multidimensional Self-Perception Scale. Changes in total and relevant subscale scores will be evaluated across the assessment time points to determine the effect of the Hatha yoga intervention.
Baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 8), and 2-month follow-up after the intervention (approximately Week 16-17).
Psychological Well-Being
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 8), and 2-month follow-up after the intervention (approximately Week 16-17).

Psychological well-being will be assessed using the 84-item Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale. The scale measures six dimensions: autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Changes in psychological well-being scores will be evaluated between the Hatha yoga and control groups over time.
Baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 8), and 2-month follow-up after the intervention (approximately Week 16-17).

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

November 9, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 9, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 9, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

November 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 5, 2026

Last Verified

November 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HATHAYOGA-2026-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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