DETROIT – Fatemeh Dehghan, a doctoral candidate at Wayne State University, is exploring how yoga and mindfulness can enhance college students’ mental well-being.
Her research – presented at the annual Graduate Research Symposium and guided by Jeffrey Martin, Ph.D., a professor of sport and exercise psychology in Wayne State’s College of Education – explores how these holistic practices influence body appropriation, self-acceptance, self-compassion and body surveillance.
Dehghan’s study, a 14-week intervention, divided 125 Wayne State students into three groups: a yoga group practicing twice a week, a mindfulness group engaging in guided meditation and a control group enrolled in a non-mindfulness-based course. Participants completed surveys at three different time points: at the beginning of the semester, 14 weeks later (at the end of the semester), and one month after the second evaluation.
“I am still in the data collection phase, so I don’t have exact results yet,” said Dehghan, who will defend her dissertation this summer. “But it’s exciting to see how non-invasive interventions like these can have a significant impact on students’ well-being.”
Her research uses repeated multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) along with well-known psychological scales, including the Self-Compassion Scale and the Body Appreciation Scale-2. The results add to the ongoing discussion on mental health in higher education and highlight the need for wellness programs in universities.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, Ph.D., highlighted the symposium’s role in fostering student success, research excellence and community well-being.
“Our students’ research plays a crucial role in advancing the university’s Prosperity Agenda by addressing real-world challenges and contributing to the well-being of our communities,” she said. “Fatemeh’s work on mindfulness and mental health is a perfect example of how research can lead to meaningful change, helping to create a healthier, more resilient student body.”
Dehghan, originally from Iran, has faced significant challenges in her academic journey, from navigating immigration processes to adjusting to a new cultural and academic environment. Since arriving at Wayne State in 2022, she has persevered through language barriers and rigorous coursework, all while maintaining a deep commitment to her research.
“When I first arrived, everything was unfamiliar – the culture, the language, even the way classes were structured,” she said. “There were moments when I doubted, but I reminded myself why I was here.”
Through it all, Dehghan has found strong support in her mentors, particularly Martin, who has guided her research and professional development.
“Dr. Martin has been incredibly supportive throughout my Ph.D. journey,” she said. “He’s helped me refine my research and given me the confidence to pursue my academic goals.
Dehghan also expressed gratitude to Kristen Kaszeta for her invaluable help in managing the LFA classes and supporting data collection, as well as to Raluca Metea for her significant contributions to the study. She also acknowledged faculty members Heather Ladanyi, Ph.D., and Nate McCaughtry, Ph.D., for their support and guidance throughout her studies.
Looking ahead, Dehghan hopes to transition into academia after completing her doctoral degree.
“I’ve realized that I love teaching,” she said. “For now, I feel a bit burnt out from research, but I see myself in the classroom, helping students learn and grow.”
Her goal is to secure a faculty position, ideally in Dallas, where she will move soon after graduating in December.
