Distress Tolerance as a Predictor of Adherence to a Yoga Intervention: Moderating Roles of BMI and Body Image. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baird, Scarlett O.; Hopkins, Lindsey B.; Medina, Johnna L.; Rosenfield, David; Powers, Mark B.; Smits, Jasper A. J.
• Other Names: Zvolensky Michael J. guest-editor.; Leventhal Adam M. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Behavior modification. Volume 40:Number 1/2(2016)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: yoga -- adherence -- intervention -- distress tolerance -- predictors; Behavior modification -- Periodicals; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 153.85
• DOI: 10.1177/0145445515612401
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-4455

Abstract

This study tested whether distress tolerance, body image, and body mass index (BMI) predicted adherence to a yoga intervention. Participants were 27 women who participated in a yoga intervention as part of a randomized controlled trial. Attendance and distress tolerance were assessed weekly, and body image and BMI were measured at baseline. Multilevel modeling revealed a three-way interaction of distress tolerance, BMI, and body image ( p < .001). For participants with few body image concerns, distress tolerance was positively associated with adherence regardless of BMI ( p = .009). However, for those with poor body image, increases in distress tolerance were associated with increases in adherence among overweight participants ( p < .001) but lower adherence among obese participants ( p = .007). Distress tolerance may be implicated in adherence to a yoga intervention, although its effects may be dependent on body image concerns, BMI, and their interaction. Research and clinical implications are discussed.