Impacts of Integral Yoga on Emotional Regulation and Aggression Indicators Among Youth in the Juvenile Justice System in Colombia.

Abstract

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system in Colombia may face complex and intersecting trauma(s) that can affect key aspects of their well-being, including the regulation of difficult emotions such as anger or aggressive behaviors. The broader literature demonstrates that these well-being indicators may be crucial aspects of rehabilitation for youth in the Colombian juvenile justice system. Moreover, these indicators may be linked to the successful reintegration of youth into their communities and contribute to reduced recidivism rates. Presently in Colombia, few interventions for youth in juvenile detention centers seek to improve the emotional regulation or aggression levels of youth. The present study assesses the impact of a trauma-informed Integral Yoga intervention that focused on emotional regulation and aggression indicators in youth living in four juvenile detention centers located in three cities in Colombia (two in Cali, one in Bucaramanga, and one in Tunja). A pre/post quasi-experimental design was used in the evaluation, and the results demonstrated a nonsignificant increase in emotional regulation and a statistically significant reduction in aggression scores. The final discussion explores the role of trauma-informed and yoga-based interventions for youth rehabilitation in Colombia's juvenile justice system.