Work

The role of yoga in enhancing spiritual and psychological health: Evidence from a large cross-sectional study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Research has rarely explored yoga’s link to spirituality, and none have examined spiritual well-being via Fisher’s four-domain model. Comparative studies with active control groups are also lacking. This study examines the relationships between spirituality, subjective well-being (SWB), and mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and stress) among yoga practitioners, physically active individuals, and inactive controls. A total of 1.167 Hungarian adults (79% females), mean age 34.52 years (SD ± 14.97), completed an online survey assessing spiritual health attitudes and behaviors, SWB, and mental health symptoms, along with the frequency of physical activity. Multivariate analyses showed significant group differences (Wilks’ Λ =.811, F(26, 2304) = 9.77, p <.001, partial η² =.099) across the combined dependent variables. Yoga practitioners reported significantly (p <.001) higher well-being and spirituality, and lower depression, anxiety, and distress than both regular exercisers and inactive participants. Regular exercisers also demonstrated more favorable psychological outcomes than inactive individuals, though to a lesser extent than yoga practitioners. Weekly physical activity frequency was positively associated with well-being and negatively associated with mental health symptoms across groups. Correlation patterns revealed several spirituality-related variables that were uniquely and more strongly associated (p <.001 to p <.023) with health indicators in the yoga group. These findings support the mental health benefits of regular physical activity and emphasize yoga's distinct contribution to spiritual well-being. The results highlight the integrative value of embodied spiritual practices, such as yoga, in promoting psychological resilience and holistic well-being. • The yoga group had the highest level of well-being and spirituality • Yoga practitioners reported the lowest depression, anxiety, and distress • Yoga enhanced all four dimensions of spiritual well-being, especially transcendental • All exercisers scored higher on outcome measures than inactive participants • Engaging in more exercise is related to higher well-being and fewer symptoms • Yoga practice was found to be correlated with spirituality and health

Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103330

Authors: Gusztáv József Tornóczky, Henriett Nagy, István Karsai, Ana Conceição, Robert Podstawski, Attila Szabo