Kyriaki Giannou

2 papers in the library · publishing 2018-2021

Papers

Loving-Kindness Colouring and Loving-Kindness Meditation: Exploring the Effectiveness of Non-Meditative and Meditative Practices on State Mindfulness and Anxiety

Journal of Creativity in Mental Health February 14, 2021 M. Mantzios, A. Tariq, Momina Altaf et al.

Coloring pictures with loving-kindness themes can increase state mindfulness and self-compassion and reduce state anxiety just as effectively as loving-kindness meditation. In a study of 180 university students randomly assigned to either loving-kindness coloring or loving-kindness meditation, both groups showed similar improvements, with no significant differences between the practices. The findings suggest that coloring may serve as a viable alternative to meditation for cultivating loving-kindness, potentially offering a more accessible entry point for people who find meditation difficult.

DOI: 10.1080/15401383.2021.1884159 Psychology

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.

Frontiers in Psychology January 1, 2018 Michail Mantzios, Kyriaki Giannou

Two experiments tested whether coloring books increase mindfulness and whether ongoing guidance is needed. In the first, 88 university students randomly assigned to unguided mandala coloring or free drawing showed no change in mindfulness or anxiety. In the second, 72 university students assigned to unguided mandala coloring or mindfulness-guided coloring (with a practitioner providing instructions adapted from breathing meditation) found that guided coloring decreased anxiety but did not increase mindfulness. Exit interviews indicated some participants disliked the guiding voice, suggesting further development is needed for mindful coloring instructions to enhance wellbeing.

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00056 Full text Anxiety Mindfulness Coloring books Mandala