Effect of Tai Chi Practice on Stress, Self-Esteem, and Perceived Life Expectancy and a Structural Model of Relation Among These Variables Taking Into Account Age

Abstract

The aims of this article were to (a) investigate whether practicing Tai Chi has an effect on stress, self-esteem, and perceived life expectancy and (b) contrast a structural model of relation between the three latter variables taking into account age. One scale to assess stress, another scale to assess perceived life expectancy, and the 10-item Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale were administrated to a nonprobability sample of 86 Tai Chi practitioners and 91 sedentary persons. Tai Chi practitioners had a lower level of stress, a greater self-esteem, and a greater perceived life expectancy than sedentary persons. Self-esteem had an effect on stress and perceived life expectancy, and stress had an effect on perceived life expectancy in both Tai Chi practitioners and sedentary persons. Age was correlated to self-esteem among sedentary persons, but not among Tai Chi practitioners. Age had a direct effect on perceived life expectancy among Tai Chi practitioners, but not among sedentary persons. It is concluded that Tai Chi practice has a beneficial effect on stress, perceived life expectancy, and self-esteem.