Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety? A Replication Study

Abstract

This experimental study replicated Curry and Kasser's (2005) research that tested whether coloring a mandala would reduce anxiety. After inducing an anxious mood via a writing activity, participants were randomly assigned to three groups that colored either on a mandala design, on a plaid design, or on a blank paper. Anxiety level was measured with the State Anxiety Inventory at baseline, after the writing exercise, and after coloring. Results support the hypothesis that coloring a mandala reduces anxiety to a significantly greater degree than coloring on a plaid design or coloring on a blank paper. Implications for the field of art therapy are discussed.

Acknowledgments

Editor's Note: Renée van der Vennet, PhD, ATR-BC, LMHC, is an Assistant Professor of Art Therapy in the Creative Arts Therapy Department of Nazareth College, Rochester, NY. Susan Serice, MA, is with the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in San Antonio, TX. This study was presented in 2007 as a poster at the 13th Annual University of Houston–Clear Lake Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts, Houston, TX. The authors acknowledge William Norwood, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Houston–Clear Lake, for his advising support of the study.