Date of Publication : October 2026

Abstract: Background: Self-esteem is a vital aspect of students’ psychological and social development. Practices that encourage attention, calmness, self-awareness, self control, self motivation, self analysis and constructive self-reflection may be relevant to student well-being. This study examined changes in self-esteem scores following a customized Raja Yoga practice among college students in Piduguralla, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Methods: A pre-test/post-test intervention-group design was used. The sample of 79 participants with both baseline and post-intervention self-esteem scores and 29 participants listed in the non-intervention with baseline scores only. Self-esteem was recorded using a 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) total score. Paired-samples analysis compared intervention participants’ baseline and post-intervention scores.
Results: In the intervention group (n = 79), the mean self-esteem score increased from 16.47 (SD = 2.19) at baseline to 20.11 (SD = 3.72) after the intervention. The mean increase was 3.65 points (95% CI 2.67–4.62), t(78) = 7.43, p < .001, with a within-participant effect size of Cohen’s dz = 0.84. Scores increased for 61 participants, were unchanged for 6, and decreased for 12. The non-intervention group had a baseline mean of 16.69 (SD = 2.79); no post-test scores were available for this group.
Conclusion: Participants who completed the customized Raja Yoga intervention showed a statistically significant improvement increase in self-esteem scores.

Keyword : Raja Yoga, self-esteem, college students, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, meditation, Andhra Pradesh.

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