Effect of Yoga Practices in Reducing Aggression and Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

  •   Umesh Dwivedi Research Scholar, Department of Yoga and Management Studies, S-VYASA University, No-19, Eknath Bhavan, Gavipuram Circle, K.G. Nagar, Bengaluru -560 019
  •   Sony Kumari Associate Professor, Department of Yoga and Management Studies, S-VYASA University, No-19, Eknath Bhavan, Gavipuram Circle, K.G. Nagar, Bengaluru -560 019
  •   K. B. Akhilesh Professor and Dean of Yoga and Management Department, Department of Yoga and Management Studies, S-VYASA University, No-19, Eknath Bhavan, Gavipuram Circle, K.G. Nagar, Bengaluru -560 019
  •   H. R. Nagendra Chancellor, S-VYASA University, No-19, Eknath Bhavan, Gavipuram Circle, K.G. Nagar, Bengaluru -560 019

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2015/v8i10/79822

Keywords:

Aggression

, Counterproductive Work Behavior, Negative Affectivity, Stress, Yoga

C91

, D23, J28, K42, L20, M00

Paper Submission Date

, August 16, 2015, Paper sent back for Revision, September 9, Paper Acceptance Date, September 19, 2015

Abstract

Counterproductive work behavior (CWB) in the workplace can take numerous forms, starting from difficult personality traits that harm team cohesion to damaging property that undermines an organization's financial well-being. Aggression has been consistently shown to correlate with incidents of CWB and also mediates the relationship between CWB and its predictors. Yoga is a mind and body practice with a goal of unifying emotional, psychological, and physical selves. Findings of yoga research recommend that yoga based techniques may be helpful for working professionals in moving and managing feelings of anger and frustration. The present study examined the effect of yoga on working professionals in reducing aggression and counterproductive work behavior. A pretest-post test research design of 10-week duration was used for two cohorts, randomized into a yoga group and a control group with 80 subjects in each group. The yoga group practiced asanas, pranayama, meditation, and yogic theory lectures. Mild to moderate physical exercises and management lectures were taught to the control group. The data was analyzed using SPSS, and the results revealed that the yoga group showed statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001) in aggression and counterproductive work behaviors in comparison to the control group. The paper contributes by introducing a cost-effective way to prevent heavy losses organizations are incurring due to counterproductive work behaviors. The results also suggested that having regular yoga sessions at a workplace can result in happier home lives and increased productivity.

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Published

2015-10-01

How to Cite

Dwivedi, U., Kumari, S., Akhilesh, K. B., & Nagendra, H. R. (2015). Effect of Yoga Practices in Reducing Aggression and Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 8(10), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2015/v8i10/79822

Issue

Volume 8, Issue 10, October 2015

Section

Organizational Behavior
Crossref
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Europe PMC

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