Self-Portraits: Literal Self-Portraits, Mandalas, and Free Drawings to Reduce Anxiety

Abstract

This mixed methods study assessed the emotional impact of therapeutic art techniques in reducing subjective anxiety by comparing three options for drawing a self-portrait: literal self-portrait, mandala, and free drawing. Undergraduate college students (n = 60) were provided with a mood induction procedure and then randomly assigned to a drawing condition. State anxiety increased after mood was induced, and decreased after completing a drawing for all conditions. There were no statistical differences in state anxiety across drawing conditions at any time point. Qualitative analysis revealed both shared and unique themes among drawing conditions. This study concluded that the process of drawing a self-portrait, regardless of approach, generally reduced state anxiety.

Keywords:

• Art
• state anxiety
• mandala
• self-portrait
• free drawing

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the O’Neil Fund for dissertation research by clinical psychology doctoral students at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Notes on contributors

Leslie A. Becerra

Leslie A. Becerra, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist in the Behavioral Health Clinic at Jemez Health and Human Services, Jemez Pueblo, NM. She completed this study as a doctoral student at the University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI

Elizabeth M. Hill

Elizabeth M. Hill, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology

Kristen M. Abraham

Kristen M. Abraham, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Detroit Mercy, MI