Mapping Changes in Executive Functioning, Emotion Regulation and Wellbeing Indicators During COVID-19 Second Wave in India: Investigating Psychological Effectiveness of a Short-Online, Advanced Yoga and Meditation Program

Abstract

The present study sought to examine the changes in executive functioning, emotion regulation, and other positive psychological outcomes among participants following their completion of a four-day online advanced yoga and meditation program conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 32 participants (11 men and 21 women; Mage = 38.12 years; SD = 9.65) who completed the standardized Stroop test and Go/No-go task for executive functioning assessment. Participants also responded to Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire- Short Version, Multidimensional Flourishing Scale, Peace of Mind Scale, and Harmony in Life Scale through the Android smartphone app, PsyEx, in a pre–post-test design. The results of pre–post test scores using paired t-test on Stroop task showed statistically significant improvement for inhibitory control or response inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and selective attention from the online advanced yoga and meditation program. The results also revealed that the participants made significantly greater use of cognitive reappraisal strategy for emotion regulation and reported significantly lower use of expressive suppression emotion regulation strategy after the advanced yoga and meditation program. The study findings also revealed a significant improvement in overall flourishing, harmony in life, and peace of mind among participants following the short, intensive online advanced yoga and meditation program. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of short, online yoga- and meditation-based programs in improving emotional regulation, executive functioning, and overall well-being. Furthermore, the study provides robust evidence supporting the integration of yoga- and meditation-based programs as effective psychological interventions for diverse populations.