When Did Coloring Books Become Mindful? Exploring the Effectiveness of a Novel Method of Mindfulness-Guided Instructions for Coloring Books to Increase Mindfulness and Decrease Anxiety

Summary & key facts

Researchers ran two experiments with university students to see if adult coloring makes people more mindful and less anxious. In the first study, about 90 students either colored mandalas without guidance or drew freely, and neither group showed changes in mindfulness or anxiety. In the second study, about 70 students either colored mandalas without guidance or colored while listening to a mindfulness teacher; the guided group showed less anxiety afterward, but neither group became more mindful. Some people said they disliked the guided voice, so the idea of guided mindful coloring might help some people feel less anxious but needs more work to be comfortable and effective for everyone.

Key facts:

• The researchers tested two experiments using university students to compare unguided mandala coloring, free drawing, and mandala coloring with a mindfulness guide.
• In the first experiment, about 90 students were split between unguided mandala coloring and free drawing; there was no change in measured mindfulness or anxiety after the activity.
• In the second experiment, about 70 students were split between unguided mandala coloring and mandala coloring with a spoken mindfulness guide; the guided group showed a drop in anxiety after the task.
• Neither experiment found an increase in measured mindfulness from any coloring activity.
• Some participants reported they did not like the voice guiding them during the mindfulness-guided coloring, suggesting the way guidance is delivered matters.
• The authors say guided mindful coloring looks promising for reducing anxiety for some people, but the instructions and delivery need more development and testing before we can say it helps widely.

Abstract

Mindfulness has been associated with the use of coloring books for adults; however, the question of whether they do increase mindfulness has not been addressed. In two studies, we attempted to identify whether mindfulness is increased, and whether there is a need for ongoing guidance while coloring, similar to mindfulness meditation. In the first randomized controlled experiment, university students (n = 88) were assigned to an unguided mandala coloring group (i.e., described in mainstream literature as a mindfulness practice) or to a free-drawing group. Measurements of state mindfulness and state anxiety were taken pre- and post- experiment. Results indicated no change in mindfulness or anxiety. In the second randomized controlled experiment, university students (n = 72) were assigned to an unguided mandala coloring group (i.e., same as Experiment 1), or, to a mindfulness-guided coloring group (i.e., same as the unguided coloring group with a mindfulness practitioner guiding participants as in mindfulness breathing meditation, with instructions modified and applied to coloring). Results indicated that the mindfulness-guided mandala coloring group performed better in decreasing anxiety, but no change was observed in mindfulness. Exit interviews revealed that some participants did not like the voice guiding them while coloring, which suggested further differing and significant findings. While mindfulness-guided coloring appears promising, guidance or instructions on how to color mindfully may require further development and adjustment to enhance health and wellbeing.

Topics

Art Therapy and Mental Health Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Urban Green Space and Health

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Anxiety Clinical psychology Mandala Medicine Meditation Mindfulness Philosophy Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapist Randomized controlled trial Surgery Theology

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Anxiety or worry