Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Scott M. Gfeller

Abstract

Constant exposures to trauma and violence often impact the wellbeing of veterans and first responders. Related heavy tolls have created an urgent need for wellness programs and coping strategies. This study utilized organismic valuing process theory as a lens to explore two research questions with a purpose to describe participants’ lived experiences and related perceptions of effectiveness. Specifically, the research was an exploration of (a) how first responders and veterans using yoga for posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and coping described their lived experiences with the intervention and (b) how first responders and veterans perceived the effectiveness of yoga for symptom improvement, overall wellbeing, and work performance. Six participants completed individual, semistructured, Zoom interviews. Interview transcription, open coding, and selecting coding were employed for data analysis and the four primary themes that emerged (a) self-awareness, (b) perceived benefits/improvements, (c) gratitude/appreciation, and (d) barriers/stigmas. Findings revealed that all participants expressed physical and psychological improvements related to consistent yoga. Recommendations included that future researchers could examine whether experiences of posttraumatic growth and other benefits are specifically attributed to yoga practice or reflective of predisposition towards growth-minded perceptions. Further exploration of barriers and stigmas about yoga and investigation of the lived experiences of those who have not found yoga helpful could provide information that can guide leaders to develop wellness programs custom designed to improve the overall health and work performance of their personnel and by extension improve community relationships and foster positive social change.

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